From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs, Half day tour

Montanejos offers a welcome change from city streets: clear, naturally warm water set among dramatic mountain scenery. You travel by shuttle from Valencia, hear about the area from a local guide, then get time to swim at Fuente de los Baños and visit the Girlfriend Waterfall.

I like two things in particular: the 25°C water, which makes a swim possible throughout the year, and the small-group format, capped at 16 people. One thing to weigh is the travel-to-swimming ratio: the drive takes about 75 minutes each way, while the springs portion is scheduled for about 90 minutes.

At a glance

1 / 8

2 / 8

3 / 8

4 / 8

5 / 8

6 / 8

7 / 8

8 / 8

1 / 8

• Water stays around 25°C: The springs are described as warm year-round, though one swimmer found them pleasant rather than hot.
• About 75 minutes each way: Round-trip transport from Valencia makes this an easy way to reach Montanejos without arranging your own ride.
• Roughly 90 minutes at the springs: Expect a focused visit, not a full day by the water.
• A waterfall visit is included: The outing also takes you to the Girlfriend Waterfall, though the exact stop duration is not specified.
• Equipment is available: Noodles, life jackets, snorkel masks and water toys for children are offered for use.
• A practical city break: Admission, guide, transport and operator-provided insurance are included. Meals and drinks are not.

From Valencia to the Montanejos springs

The meeting point is by Mestalla football stadium, at gate N1 on Suecia Avenue. You can choose a morning departure at 09:30 or an afternoon departure at 14:30. Arrive 10 minutes early; the shuttle leaves at the time selected when you book, and late arrivals or no-shows are not refundable.

The ride to Montanejos takes about an hour and 15 minutes by bus. That’s long enough to make the trip feel like a proper outing, but short enough to fit into a half-day plan. The shuttle removes the need to organize transport to the springs yourself, and a local guide provides explanations at each location.

The group is limited to 16 people, with at least two required for the tour to depart. That small cap should make it easier to hear the guide and keep the outing personal, though it is still a shared group trip, not a private tour. The transport is described as a private shuttle, but the tour itself can include other participants.

Expect the schedule to shift if traffic or weather gets in the way. Return times are listed as 13:30 for the morning outing and 18:30 for the afternoon one, but options can vary according to your chosen departure and the day’s timing. Leave room in your plans after the tour rather than making a tight connection.

What the 25°C water is like

Fuente de los Baños is the main reason to come. The water is said to stay at about 25°C, or 77°F, all year. That is warm enough to make swimming appealing even when you do not want a chilly plunge, but it is not a hot spring in the steaming, spa-pool sense. One swimmer described it as pleasant rather than hot, a useful distinction if you are picturing a hot bath.

The setting is a major part of the appeal. The springs sit amid striking natural scenery, and the water has been compared to the pools of Thailand. That comparison is about the feel of bathing in a natural setting, not a promise of tropical temperatures. You are in a mountain area near Valencia, and the water remains a steady, moderate temperature.

You have about 90 minutes scheduled at the springs, including a guided explanation of the area and time to swim. That is enough for a relaxed dip and a chance to take in the surroundings, but it may feel brief if you want a long swim, a leisurely picnic or several hours beside the water. The short visit is the trade-off that lets you make the trip from Valencia and still return the same day.

Bring your own swimsuit, towel and sunscreen. The operator provides noodles and life jackets, plus snorkel masks and water toys for children. These can make the water time easier for people who are less confident swimmers or families with children, but do not assume the equipment replaces close adult supervision.

A stop at the Girlfriend Waterfall

The tour also includes a visit to the Girlfriend Waterfall, adding a second natural stop to the trip. The available schedule does not give a separate duration for the waterfall, so think of it as part of the outing rather than a long, standalone excursion. Your guide provides explanations at each location.

This extra stop helps the trip feel broader than a shuttle ride to one swimming spot. Still, the springs are the main event in the stated itinerary, and the waterfall should be treated as a complement. If you are booking chiefly to spend as much time as possible in the water, the 90-minute springs visit is the detail to focus on.

What the guide and included transport add

A guide who speaks English or Spanish accompanies the tour and explains the places you visit. The guide’s name is not specified, so you cannot request a particular person. The tour information describes the guide as a professional local guide, and the account of one trip praised the driver as funny and helpful. That is a pleasant bonus, but the driver’s personality is not something a schedule can guarantee.

Round-trip transport, attraction admission and insurance provided by the operator are included. This makes the price easier to compare with arranging the outing independently: you are paying for the ride, access and guided visit together, not only for a swim. Meals and beverages are excluded, so plan to eat before or after, or bring provisions if that suits your plans. No meal stop is specified.

The tour is open to all ages, but anyone aged 0 to 17 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Pets are not allowed, and anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund. These rules are worth knowing before you set out, especially if you are planning a family trip.

Is the price good value?

The advertised starting prices are not identical: one price is listed from US$43.85, while the Personas package is shown from US$38.15. The amount you pay may depend on the option and date you select, so check the final price at booking rather than treating either figure as a guaranteed fare.

For that starting range, the value comes from bundling a roughly 75-minute ride each way with admission, a guide, operator-provided insurance and time at both the springs and waterfall. If you do not have a car, the convenience matters. If you already have transport and want to spend a whole day swimming, a half-day guided trip may be less appealing.

The strongest reason to book is the mix of easy transport and a distinctive natural swim. The main compromise is time: you spend about two and a half hours in transit for a scheduled 90 minutes at the springs, plus the waterfall visit. A single five-star account called the trip good value and praised the scenery, the water and the driver. That is encouraging, though it is only one account, so it should not be treated as a broad guarantee.

How to prepare for the half-day outing

Pack swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Those are the essentials. The tour provides water equipment, but the description does not specify how many items are available or whether you can reserve a particular size, so bring anything you personally need for a comfortable swim.

There are morning and afternoon departure choices, which can help you fit the outing around other plans in Valencia. The morning option is scheduled to return at 13:30, and the afternoon option at 18:30, but traffic and weather may affect the timing. Confirm the departure time on your booking and arrive at gate N1 at least 10 minutes before it.

The voucher is valid only on the date and time specified. Confirmation is expected within minutes; if it does not arrive, contact customer support. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date, using local destination time, qualify for a full refund. These details are easy to overlook when you are focused on the water, but they matter if your plans change.

Who should book this tour?

I’d recommend this outing if you want a straightforward escape from Valencia, enjoy swimming in a natural setting and value having transport and a guide arranged for you. Families may appreciate the loaner life jackets and children’s water toys, while the no-age-limit policy makes the trip open to a wide range of ages. Children still need to be accompanied by a paying adult.

It is less suited to anyone expecting steaming hot water or a full day at the springs. The water is warm by natural-swimming standards, not a hot tub, and the planned swim time is limited. If that sounds like a fair trade for an easy half-day trip, Montanejos is a practical choice. If you want maximum time in the water, plan a longer visit by another means.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

The meeting point is at Mestalla football stadium, gate N1, on Suecia Avenue in Valencia. Arrive 10 minutes before your selected departure.

What departure times can I choose?

The listed choices are 09:30 and 14:30. Available return options depend on your selected departure and the day’s schedule.

How long is the drive to Montanejos?

The bus ride takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way.

How much time is scheduled at the thermal springs?

The guided visit at the springs is scheduled for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The timetable may change with traffic and weather.

How warm is the water?

The water is described as staying around 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. It is pleasant for swimming, but it may not feel hot.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel and sunscreen. Noodles, life jackets, snorkel masks and water toys for children are available for use.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. The activity has no age limit, but children aged 0 to 17 must be accompanied by a paying adult.