Valencia: Montanejos Hot Springs Tour + Salto De la Novia Waterfall

The best part of this day trip is the pairing of two very different natural sights: the dramatic Salto de la Novia waterfall near Navajas and the warm-water pools of Montanejos. I like the simple plan, with transport from Valencia handled for you, and I like the generous three-plus hours at Montanejos for swimming, photos, and a picnic.

The main catch is the word hot. At about 25 degrees Celsius, the water is mild rather than bath-warm, and it can feel cold at first, especially in winter or in the shade of the gorge. Guides such as Maties and Miguel add plenty of energy and local advice, but this is still an outdoor day with rocky paths, so bring proper footwear.

You meet at Gate A3 of Mestalla Stadium and return there after roughly eight hours. The tour suits you best if you want a countryside break from Valencia without renting a car, and if you are happy sharing a van and packing your own lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Salto de la Novia comes first: You get time for photos, a guided visit, and a walk around this striking waterfall setting in Navajas.
• Montanejos is a long stop: Allow about 3 hours and 15 minutes for swimming, a picnic, walking, and views around the thermal waters.
• The water is 25°C year-round: Pleasant for some, surprisingly cool for others, particularly outside summer.
• Tio Juan waterfall adds another viewpoint: The Montanejos visit includes a look at this waterfall and a lookout point.
• Guides shape the day: Maties and Miguel are praised for their friendly style, useful local suggestions, and good organization.
• Pack for rough ground: Water shoes, a towel, food, drinks, a waterproof phone case, and a small daypack will make the day easier.

From Mestalla Stadium to the Valencian countryside

The day begins at Gate A3 of Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium, at Av. d’Aragó, 31. This is a useful meeting point if you are staying in the city, but arrive ready to leave on time since the schedule includes several road transfers.

The first drive takes about 50 minutes. That road time is part of the trade-off for visiting Montanejos without arranging a car, and it gives you a break from Valencia’s urban streets. Transport, admission to the waterfall, and entry to the thermal waters are included in the $67 price.

The vehicle is not the place for a full picnic. Food and drinks are not allowed inside, so pack your supplies in a bag and eat during the outdoor stop. You can also buy sandwiches and snacks in town before heading to the springs, which is useful if you prefer not to carry a full meal from Valencia.

The tour is conducted in English or Spanish. The guide leads the visits, gives local information, and keeps the group moving between stops. Maties and Miguel are both noted for a friendly, upbeat approach. Miguel is especially playful, while Maties is often praised for planning the day carefully and sharing suggestions for other places in Valencia.

Navajas and the Salto de la Novia waterfall

After the first transfer, you spend about 75 minutes at Navajas. This stop includes a guided visit, walking, and a photo stop at Cascada del Salto de la Novia. The waterfall is the visual showpiece of the first half of the day, with a natural setting that gives you plenty to photograph.

Seventy-five minutes is enough for a relaxed look and a walk, but it is not an all-day hike. You should expect uneven ground rather than a strenuous mountain route. Comfortable shoes are essential, and hiking shoes are a sensible choice if your footing is not steady.

Bring your phone, but protect it. A waterproof case is one of the most useful items for this trip, since you will later be close to water and may want to take photos or videos without worrying about splashes. The operator provides photo and video services, so you can also ask the guide about taking pictures during the outing.

This first stop gives the day a good rhythm. You start with a waterfall and viewpoints, then move on to the water at Montanejos. If you only want to swim, the waterfall stop may feel like extra time, but it is what makes this more than a simple transfer to a pool.

Tio Juan waterfall and the lookout point

The Montanejos portion includes Tio Juan waterfall and a lookout point. These stops add a little more scenery before or around your time at the thermal waters, and they give you reasons to keep your camera ready even when you are not swimming.

The lookout matters because Montanejos is not only about getting into the water. You get a chance to see the gorge and surrounding countryside from above, then walk through the area at a slower pace. The setting is at its best when you take your time instead of treating the springs as a quick bathing stop.

Do not assume every path will be smooth. The advice to bring water shoes is practical, especially around rocky sections and the water’s edge. Regular trainers can work for the walking parts, but water shoes are more comfortable when you move between land and pool.

The guide can adjust the pace for people who do not want a long walk. One day’s arrangements included options for those who preferred less walking, although the route was described as more of a rough-ground walk than a serious hike. That makes the tour manageable for many active adults, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Three hours at the Montanejos thermal waters

The longest stop lasts about 3 hours and 15 minutes. This is the heart of the tour, with time for swimming, walking, photos, and a picnic. You are not rushed through a short photo stop, which is a real advantage at this kind of outdoor site.

The thermal water is advertised at 25°C throughout the year. That temperature can feel refreshing in hot weather, but it is not what most people picture when they hear hot springs. In winter, the first entry may feel cold, and the water can seem even cooler in the shade of the gorge. Some people manage only a brief dip, while others find it comfortable after a little time in the water.

I would plan your expectations around a mild natural pool, not a heated spa. If you want a warm, steamy soak, this may disappoint you. If you enjoy swimming in clear outdoor water and do not mind a brisk start, the setting makes the experience worthwhile.

The long stop gives you room to choose your own pace. You can:

• Swim for as long as the temperature suits you
• Walk along the rocky areas with water shoes
• Eat a picnic away from the van
• Take photos and videos
• Visit the lookout and nearby waterfall
• Sit by the water if you do not want to swim

Food and drinks are not included, so bring enough for the whole day. Water is particularly important after walking and spending time outdoors. A small daypack is easier to manage than a large bag, and a waterproof bag protects clothes, phones, and food from splashes.

Alcohol, drugs, smoking indoors, littering, and making fires are not allowed. Oversize luggage is also not suitable for the vehicle. Pack lightly and keep your belongings easy to carry.

Is $67 a fair price?

At $67 per person, the value rests mainly in the transport and the amount of time at Montanejos. You get a round-trip van ride from Valencia, entrance to Salto de la Novia, entrance to the thermal waters, a live guide, and visits to several natural sights.

A private car would give you more control, but it would also leave you responsible for navigation, parking, timing, and finding both locations. This tour bundles those chores into one day. For you, the price is reasonable if you want a straightforward outing and do not want to drive.

Food and drinks cost extra, and there are no meals included. That is not a serious problem because a picnic works well here, but remember to budget for sandwiches, snacks, and water if you do not bring them from Valencia.

The tour also offers flexibility at booking, with the option to reserve now and pay later, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Those terms are useful if your Valencia plans may change, though you should still check the available starting time before booking.

What the guides add to the day

The guide makes a noticeable difference on a trip that involves several transfers and outdoor stops. Maties is described as organized, kind, and good at keeping the day flexible. Miguel brings a more playful style and is praised for making the outing feel social and memorable.

You should expect a relaxed rather than formal tone. The guides share details about the places, point out what to see, and can recommend restaurants, nightlife, and other places in Valencia. If you want local suggestions, ask directly rather than waiting for a long lecture.

The humor may not suit every mood. Miguel’s repeated jokes were fun for some people and less appealing to others. That is a small issue, but it helps set expectations: this is a friendly group day, not a quiet private excursion with a highly structured academic talk.

The strongest praise is for the organization, guide attitude, transport, and amount of time available for walking and swimming. That combination matters because a poorly managed outdoor day can feel like a series of rushed stops. Here, the schedule gives you enough time to enjoy the main site.

What to pack for a comfortable day

The most useful packing list is short but specific:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Water shoes for rocky areas
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
• Food and plenty of drinks
• Water
• Comfortable clothing
• A waterproof phone case or waterproof bag
• A small daypack

Wear clothes that can handle a full outdoor day. You may walk, sit near the water, swim, and carry your belongings between different areas. Keep valuables to a minimum, since the tour is built around natural sites rather than indoor facilities.

If you are visiting outside summer, bring an extra layer. The water temperature stays around 25°C, but air temperature, shade, and wet clothing can make the swim feel cooler than expected. That is especially true when you leave the water.

Who will enjoy this Montanejos day trip?

I would choose this tour if you are staying in Valencia and want a full day in nature without renting a car. It works well for couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy a social outing with a guide and do not mind a shared van.

It is also a good match if you want more than one attraction. Salto de la Novia gives you a waterfall and photo stop, while Montanejos provides the longer swimming and picnic break. The mix keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

You may want another option if you need step-free access, dislike rocky paths, or expect genuinely hot water. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the thermal pool can feel cool in winter. Anyone who wants a luxury spa day should also look elsewhere.

Families and mixed groups can make it work if everyone brings the right gear and understands that the water is mild, not hot. The flexible walking pace helps, but the tour still involves a long day outdoors and several hours in transit.

Practical details that matter

The total duration is eight hours, including approximately 50 minutes to Navajas, 75 minutes at the waterfall, another 50-minute transfer, 3 hours and 15 minutes at Montanejos, and about 70 minutes for the return journey. The route is full, but the long water stop prevents it from becoming a rushed sightseeing circuit.

You return to the same meeting point at Mestalla Stadium. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check it before booking and plan your Valencia day around the return.

The tour operates in English and Spanish. Entrance fees and transport are included, while meals are not. The activity ends back at the original meeting point, which makes it easy to continue with dinner or an evening in Valencia.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want an easy escape from Valencia, enjoy waterfalls and outdoor swimming, and can accept water that feels more refreshing than hot. The best reasons to go are the two contrasting natural stops, the long Montanejos visit, and the friendly organization from guides such as Maties and Miguel.

Skip it if your main goal is a truly hot thermal bath, a wheelchair-accessible outing, or a private and quiet experience. For everyone else, $67 is a fair price for transport, admissions, guiding, and a full day beyond the city. Pack food, water shoes, and a waterproof phone case, and you will be ready for the parts of the day that matter most.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Gate A3 of Mestalla Stadium, at Av. d’Aragó, 31, and ends back at the same meeting point in Valencia.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. The schedule includes transfers, a waterfall visit, and approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes at Montanejos.

Is the thermal water actually hot?

The water is about 25°C all year. It may feel pleasant in warm weather but can feel cold at first in winter or in shaded parts of the gorge.

What is included in the price?

The $67 price includes round-trip transport from Valencia, entrance to Salto de la Novia waterfall, entrance to the Montanejos thermal waters, and a live guide in English or Spanish.

Is food included?

No. You need to bring food and drinks for the day. You may also buy sandwiches and snacks in town before going to the springs.

What should I bring for swimming?

Bring swimwear, a towel, water shoes, a waterproof phone case or bag, drinking water, food, comfortable clothes, and a small daypack.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users and includes walking over some rough or rocky ground.