From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Spring & Girlfriend Waterfall

Girlfriend Waterfall comes first, a separate stop from Montanejos’ warm springs. You get a swim at the cascade in summer, then travel on to water that stays around 25°C (77°F) year-round. It is a refreshing change from Valencia’s city streets, with nature doing most of the talking.

I like two things in particular: the small group, limited to eight, and the pairing of a waterfall visit with time at the springs. Guides Miguel and Miguel have earned praise for their humor and explanations of the local nature. One caution: the day depends on weather and access. After flooding, the park was closed, the water was cloudy, and a planned hike did not take place.

The day at a glance

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• Two distinct water stops: Girlfriend Waterfall comes first; it is not beside the Montanejos springs, so expect a bus ride between them.
• Warm water in every season: The springs are listed at 25°C, making a dip possible beyond the summer months.
• A small group: The maximum group size is eight, which can mean more personal attention than on a large coach excursion.
• A short hike and viewpoint: The outing includes a roughly 30-minute hike to scenic spots, though conditions may affect what is possible.
• Lunch is not included: There is a scheduled lunch stop, but food and drinks are at your own cost, and the meal option depends on what is open.
• A full day out: Plan on leaving Mestalla at 9:00 and returning at about 17:00.

👉 See our pick of the 20 Best Guided Tours In Valencia

Leaving Valencia for the waterfall

The meeting point is by Mestalla football stadium, at Gate N1 on Suecia Avenue. The tour is scheduled to depart at 9:00, and you should arrive ten minutes early. That matters here: late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable, and the day has several timed stops to fit in.

The first bus ride takes about 45 minutes. You reach Girlfriend Waterfall at roughly 9:45 and spend about an hour and 15 minutes there. In summer, the stop is planned around a refreshing swim, so bring swimwear and sunscreen rather than expecting to admire the cascade from a dry viewpoint.

The waterfall is a separate attraction from Montanejos’ thermal springs, not a second pool within the same park. That distinction helps set expectations: this is a day of moving between natural sites, not one long visit to a single bathing area. The waterfall’s size is a draw, but time is limited, so you will want to make the most of your stop.

The tour information describes swimming at the waterfall during the summer months. It does not promise that swimming will be available in every season or under all conditions. Water levels, weather and access can change, so treat the swim as a seasonal possibility rather than a year-round guarantee.

Montanejos’ 25°C springs

After the waterfall, the bus takes about 45 minutes to reach Montanejos. The schedule allows around an hour and 45 minutes at the springs, followed by lunch and another hour to visit the surrounding area. The water temperature is given as 25°C throughout the year, or about 77°F. It is warm enough to feel inviting, though not hot-tub hot.

The springs are the heart of the excursion. The water and surrounding natural setting offer a welcome contrast with a day spent in Valencia’s streets, and the operator describes the area as resembling Thailand. That comparison is best taken as a visual impression, not a promise of a tropical setting. The dependable point is the natural water and time to swim.

The water is also described as medicinal. That is a promotional description, not a medical guarantee, so I would go for the natural setting and bathing rather than any promised health effect. Bring a swimsuit, and remember that sunscreen is specifically recommended. There is no need to assume changing facilities or other amenities, as those details are not provided.

The plan also includes a short hike, described as about 30 minutes, to discover scenic spots and finish at a viewpoint. This adds something beyond swimming: you get a chance to see more of the area and hear stories from the guide. The exact route and walking conditions are not specified, so if you have questions about the hike, ask the operator before booking.

One important caveat is that nature does not follow a timetable. In November 2024, following flooding, Montanejos Park was closed, the water was not clear, and the planned hike did not happen. Access was arranged, but the visit was reduced largely to swimming. That is a specific example, not proof of a regular problem, but it shows why you should check conditions if heavy rain or flooding has recently affected the region.

A simple lunch break, with one uncertainty

Lunch is scheduled for an hour at about 13:30. The meal is not included in the price, and the plan says lunch depends on whether the venue is open. The menu can also change with the season and ingredient availability.

That makes this a good moment to keep expectations flexible. You may have a chance to eat at the planned stop, but you should not count on a particular dish or assume that a meal is guaranteed. Food and drinks are excluded, so bring money for lunch and personal purchases. If having a reliable meal plan is important to you, check with the operator before departure.

After lunch, the tour allows another hour to visit the area around the springs. It is useful to have time beyond the initial swim, especially if you want to see more of the surroundings or take a slower pace. The day is not built around a long hike or extensive sightseeing, though. Its main appeal is the combination of water, nature and transport handled for you.

What the small group changes

With a maximum of eight participants, this is a more personal outing than a large bus tour. A small group can make it easier to ask questions and keep track of the guide at each stop. It also means there is less space for anonymity: if you prefer to explore entirely at your own pace, a guided group may feel restrictive.

Guides Miguel and Miguel have been praised for their humor and for explaining the nature and scenery along the route. A guide can add useful context to a short hike and help you make sense of the stops, rather than leaving you to piece the day together on your own. The tour is offered in English and Spanish.

Guiding style is personal, and there is a useful trade-off to consider. One participant on a difficult post-flood visit found the guide too talkative and felt there was less time to focus on the surroundings. That does not mean every guide or departure will feel the same, but it is worth knowing if you prefer quiet time outdoors. You can politely say when you would like a little space to enjoy the view or swim.

The tour is described as family-friendly, but children aged 0 to 17 must be with a paying adult. Participants must be under 80. Pets are not allowed, and anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund.

The schedule and the price

The day runs from 9:00 to about 17:00. After the first two bus rides and the morning stops, there is a lunch break, more time around the springs, then a ride of about an hour and a half back to Mestalla. Traffic and weather can change the schedule, so do not plan a tight appointment immediately after the stated return time.

The displayed starting price is $114.85, while the package information also gives a starting price of $99.85. Since those figures differ, check the total for your date and selected option before paying. The price includes round-trip transport from the meeting point, admission to attractions, an English- or Spanish-speaking professional guide and insurance provided by the operator. Meals, drinks and personal expenses are extra.

For the value, consider what you are buying: a full-day excursion from Valencia with transport between two natural stops, a small group and guided time at Montanejos. If you would otherwise need to arrange your own transport and coordinate the sites, having that handled may be worthwhile. If you already have a car and prefer a long, unstructured day at one place, the scheduled pace may be less appealing.

The tour has a 4.3 out of 5 rating from three listed ratings, but that is a very small sample. The positive experiences highlight the natural outing and the guides, especially Miguel and Miguel. The less positive experience followed a flood and involved a closed park, cloudy water and a missed hike. I would not treat that unusual set of conditions as the normal day, but I would check current access and weather before booking.

What to bring and what to know before you go

Pack swimwear and sunscreen, both specifically recommended for the outing. You may also want a towel and a change of clothes for after swimming, though these are practical suggestions rather than items the tour provider lists as required. Since food and drinks are not included, bring money for lunch and anything else you may want along the way.

Your voucher is valid only for the date and time booked, and confirmation should arrive within minutes. If it does not, contact customer support. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the activity date receive a full refund. Conditions on the day can still affect the route or schedule, so keep some flexibility.

Should you book this Montanejos day trip?

Book it if you want an easy way to reach two natural water sites from Valencia, value a small guided group, and are happy to spend much of the day swimming and travelling between stops. The stable spring temperature, seasonal waterfall swim and planned short hike make for a varied day outdoors. Praise for Miguel and Miguel’s humor and nature guidance is another encouraging sign.

Think twice if you need guaranteed water clarity, a fixed hiking route or a meal included. Flooding can change access and water conditions, and the lunch stop depends on what is open. If conditions are normal and you want a guided break from the city, this is a sensible full-day choice. If weather has been rough, ask whether the park and hike are operating before you commit.

FAQ

Where does the tour leave from?

It departs from Mestalla football stadium, at Gate N1 on Suecia Avenue in Valencia. Arrive ten minutes before the 9:00 departure.

What time does the tour return?

The scheduled return to Mestalla is about 17:00. Traffic and weather may change the timing.

How warm are the Montanejos springs?

The water is listed at 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

Is Girlfriend Waterfall beside the thermal springs?

No. The waterfall is a separate stop, followed by a bus ride of about 45 minutes to Montanejos.

Is lunch included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included. A lunch stop is scheduled, but the meal option depends on whether the venue is open.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and sunscreen. The tour information specifically recommends both.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children aged 0 to 17 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Participants must be under 80.