Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Spring & Girlfriend Waterfall

Montanejos gives you a rare two-part escape from Valencia: a warm natural swimming area and a mountain waterfall where the water feels much cooler. The setting is the real draw, with cliffs, river pools, walking paths, and clear water that can make the city feel very far away.

I like the way the day balances easy swimming with local stories and short walks. I also like the small-group feel, especially when guides such as Ivan, Miguel, Serena, Borja, and Kika are leading. They have been praised for keeping people safe, sharing Spanish history, and helping with practical details such as water shoes, photographs, cold water, and special diets.

The main thing to understand is that Montanejos is not a hot spa. The swimming area is listed at 25°C, or 77°F, all year, but mountain water can mix with the spring and feel cooler. In winter, and even on cloudy days, you may find the main river pool brisk rather than bath-like.

Key points before you book

• Two very different swims: Relax in Montanejos, then cool off at Salto de la Novia, also called Girlfriend Waterfall.
• A full eight-hour outing: Expect substantial time on the road, balanced by about one and a half hours at the waterfall and roughly two hours at the thermal springs.
• Friendly local guiding: Ivan, Miguel, Serena, Borja, Kika, and other guides have been praised for history, humor, safety, and personal help.
• Small-group advantages: A smaller vehicle makes the day more personal and lets the guide adjust the pace when needed.
• Bring proper footwear: Water shoes are especially useful because the spring area has rocks.
• Good value at $57: Transport, tickets, insurance, equipment, and a guide are included, though food is not part of the standard price.

From Valencia to the mountain rivers

The day starts at one of the stated meeting points, including Av. d’Aragó, 31, outside The Little Corner Café. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the departure point yourself. Check the exact meeting place tied to your booking, since it can vary by option.

You travel in an air-conditioned bus or van. The journey takes roughly 45 minutes to the first major stop, followed by another 45-minute transfer between the waterfall and Montanejos. The return drive is listed at about 75 minutes, making the total eight-hour day feel like a proper outing rather than a quick excursion.

I see the transport time as part of the trade-off. You are leaving Valencia for a rural area, so there is no way to reach these swimming spots without a road journey. The upside is that you do not need to rent a car, navigate mountain roads, or arrange separate entrance tickets.

Several guides have used the drive well by explaining local culture, the Spanish Civil War, the countryside, and points of interest along the route. Ivan, in particular, has been praised for mixing useful facts with jokes and keeping an eye on everyone in the group. If you get carsick or have hearing difficulty, tell the guide early and ask for a suitable seat. One guide helped a passenger move to the front, while another practical concern was that people at the back of the vehicle could have trouble hearing every comment.

Salto de la Novia, the Girlfriend Waterfall

Salto de la Novia is the more dramatic swimming stop. The name is often translated as Girlfriend Waterfall, and the place combines a waterfall, river pool, rock walls, and a short walk through the surrounding area.

You have about one and a half hours here for photos, swimming, and time near the water. Some people use the pool beneath the falls, and there is also a slide mentioned by visitors who enjoyed making the swim more playful. The water is noticeably cooler than Montanejos, so this stop suits you if you like a refreshing plunge rather than a long warm soak.

The setting can be especially attractive when the group arrives early and has the area largely to itself. Still, conditions and crowds can change. Do not expect a private waterfall, and take care on wet rock. Comfortable shoes are required, while water shoes are a smart extra.

This is also a good place to keep your camera ready. Guides have helped take photographs with personal phones and cameras, and the natural setting gives you something more memorable than a standard roadside photo stop. You may want a waterproof phone pouch, though one is not listed among the included items.

Montanejos thermal springs at 25°C

Montanejos is the calmer half of the day. The swimming area is kept at about 25°C throughout the year, a temperature that feels pleasant on a hot afternoon and refreshing in cooler weather. It is warm enough for many people to swim comfortably, but it is not a steaming thermal bath.

That distinction matters. The term thermal spring can make you picture hot water, yet the spring area is closer to a warm natural river pool. In winter, the small retaining pool may feel warmer than the larger swimming area. One useful detail from the experience is that the retaining pool can hold only two or three people and may have tiny fish that nibble gently at your feet if you stay still.

The water is described as mineral-rich, with local claims about benefits for skin, stomach, and kidneys. I would treat those health claims as part of the local character rather than a medical promise. The sound reason to get in is simple: you are surrounded by mountains and trees, and a swim here is a pleasant way to loosen up after the road trip.

You get around two hours at Montanejos for a guided walk, photographs, swimming, and time to relax. Changing facilities and bathrooms are available at the spring location, and there is a concession stand. The ground can be rocky, so water shoes are worth packing. Noodles, life jackets, snorkel masks, and water toys for children are included, subject to the activity arrangements.

The surprise, history, and time outdoors

The day is not only about swimming. The guides sometimes add a surprise stop or point out features such as Spanish Civil War trenches. This gives the outing more depth than a simple transport service to a river.

You may hear local stories during the drive and at the stops. Ivan has discussed the area, the waterfall, the springs, and the Civil War, while other guides have shared facts about Spanish culture and the local economy. These details matter because the scenery can otherwise blur into a series of pretty views. A good guide helps you understand what you are seeing.

The walking element appears to be gentle rather than a serious mountain hike. It can add context and let you see more of the area, but if your main goal is swimming, you may find some of the walking less exciting than the water time. The schedule has been adjusted in hot weather, with less walking and more swimming when that made sense for the group.

That flexibility is a real advantage of a small group. You are not locked into a large coach schedule at every moment. Guides have been praised for allowing enough time at each stop without making the day feel rushed.

Lunch, equipment, and practical comfort

Food is not listed as part of the standard inclusions, so you should check the exact booking option before setting out. Several experiences included a sandwich and drink, and one guide helped arrange a gluten-free lunch. Other stops have allowed time to buy provisions locally.

Because the information is not entirely uniform, I would not assume a full meal is guaranteed unless your selected option says so. Bring snacks if you need a particular diet, and carry a refillable bottle. Guides have supplied cold water during the day, which is especially welcome in summer.

The vehicles are air-conditioned and have generally been described as clean and comfortable. Small vans make the outing feel more personal, but they also mean less space than a full-size coach. One person found the back seats warmer because the air conditioning was weaker there. If you are sensitive to heat, motion, or hearing, ask about seating before departure.

The supplied equipment is generous for a day near water:

• Noodles and life jackets
• Snorkel masks
• Water toys for children
• Safety and accident insurance
• Tickets and taxes
• Air-conditioned transport

You still need to bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothing, and sturdy shoes. Alcohol, food, and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and smoking is prohibited. Pets are not allowed.

Optional hiking, rafting, and kayaking choices

At booking, you may be able to choose hiking, rafting, or kayaking instead of the Girlfriend Waterfall visit. This is important because the selected activity replaces that stop rather than adding another excursion to the day.

Choose the standard waterfall option if you want the most relaxed plan and two different swimming settings. Pick one of the active alternatives only if you would rather spend your main activity time walking or on the water. The supplied details do not give exact route lengths, difficulty levels, or rafting and kayaking conditions, so check those specifics before selecting an active option.

The standard experience is suitable for a wide range of ages, but it is not designed for wheelchair users or babies under one year. You should also be comfortable getting in and out of a vehicle, walking around natural surfaces, and entering rocky river water.

Is $57 a fair price?

At $57 per person, the tour offers solid value if you do not have a car. You are paying for private transport from Valencia, an English or Spanish-speaking guide, tickets, taxes, insurance, safety equipment, and a full day outside the city.

A self-drive trip could give you more freedom, but it would require arranging the route, parking, fuel, and access to two separate natural sites. The tour also adds local commentary and someone to handle the practical details. That is useful if you want to swim without spending time planning mountain transport.

The value is weaker if you expect a luxury spa, a hot bath, or a full restaurant lunch included automatically. This is an outdoor nature day, not a polished wellness resort. The water temperature is the key reality check: 25°C is comfortable for many people, but it may feel cool when the air is cold or when mountain runoff enters the river.

The free cancellation period of 24 hours and reserve-now, pay-later option also make the booking less rigid. Still, check the chosen activity, meeting place, meal details, and schedule before paying.

Which guide might lead your day?

The guide can shape this experience more than any single stop. Ivan has been praised repeatedly for his humor, history talks, attentiveness, and care with water and group safety. Miguel has been described as warm, energetic, and especially good at making a small group feel comfortable. Serena, Borja, Kika, Francesca, Paula, Alexandra, and other guides have also been praised for friendliness and practical help.

That does not mean you can guarantee a particular guide. It does mean the company has a strong pattern of personal guiding rather than simply driving people between sites. Guides have helped with photographs, water shoes, gluten-free food, seating, local tips, and keeping the group together.

The intimacy works well for solo visitors, couples, and families with older children. Couples get a relaxed day with scenic stops, while families can make use of the water toys and life jackets. It is also a good choice if you want to meet a few people without joining a large coach crowd.

Should you book the Montanejos day trip?

I would book this if you want a simple escape from Valencia with two distinct water stops, attractive mountain scenery, and a guide who adds local context. It is especially good for people who do not want to rent a car and who prefer a planned day with room to swim.

I would skip it if you want genuinely hot water, a serious hike, a luxury spa setting, or complete control over your schedule. Bring water shoes, expect the main river to feel cooler than the word thermal suggests, and confirm whether lunch is included in your chosen option.

For most visitors, the combination of waterfall, warm spring, history, transport, and attentive guiding makes $57 a reasonable price. Just pack for an outdoor river day, not a hot tub.

FAQ

How warm is the Montanejos thermal spring?

The swimming area is listed at 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. The larger river pool may feel cooler because mountain water mixes with the spring.

Is Girlfriend Waterfall close to Montanejos?

No. Salto de la Novia, also called Girlfriend Waterfall, is a separate stop. Transport is provided between the waterfall and the Montanejos thermal springs.

How long does the activity last?

The excursion lasts about eight hours, including transport from Valencia, time at the waterfall, time at Montanejos, lunch time, and the return journey.

Is food included?

Food is not listed as a standard inclusion. Some arrangements have provided a sandwich and drink, so check the option you book. You can also bring or buy provisions, but food and drinks are not allowed inside the vehicle.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak English and Spanish.

Can wheelchair users or babies under one year join?

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or babies under one year. It is otherwise described as suitable for all ages, subject to comfort with walking and swimming in natural areas.