Thermal water, a proper waterfall, and a smooth group day trip from Valencia. What makes this one work is the mix of hot springs time plus planned downtime to enjoy the surroundings at your own pace. You get an air-conditioned ride, a local guide, and tickets handled so you can focus on water, views, and breaks.

I especially like the friendly English-speaking guidance and the fact the day is paced so you’re not sprinting from stop to stop. You’ll also appreciate the simple packing direction: bring a swimsuit, towel, and (optionally) water shoes, because you’ll actually be in the water. One consideration: it’s a big group, so expect a lively rhythm and some crowding at the most popular spots.

Key things I’d circle before you go

• Thermal springs bathing time with a stated water temperature of 25ºC / 77ºF
• A planned sequence that balances soaking, a picnic break, and waterfall time
• Skip-the-lines express security plus air-conditioned transport to keep the day easy
• English and Spanish support from the guide, which matters when you’re in and out of water
• A small-ish tour size cap (up to 100 travelers), but still a lively group atmosphere

The big idea: why this day trip makes sense from Valencia

If you only have one day outside Valencia, this tour is built around two classic highlights in the same route: thermal water at Montanejos and the famous waterfall area around Salto de la Novia and Navajas. Instead of forcing you into a long travel slog, the schedule keeps most of your time where the action is.

I like that it’s practical. You’re not just sightseeing from a bus window. You’re set up to swim, bathe, and take breaks—important on a hot-weather Spain day when you’ll otherwise burn time managing your own logistics.

Also, the guidance is a real advantage. With English available (and Spanish too), it’s easier to understand what to expect at the springs and where to go for the waterfall portions. That reduces stress when you’re changing clothes, finding your group, and timing bathroom breaks.

Getting to Montanejos: how the ride shapes your day

Your tour starts in Valencia at the Little Corner Café, on Av. de Suècia, 27 in El Pla del Real (46010 València). From there, you’ll travel by air-conditioned vehicle toward Montanejos. The first segment sets the tone: enough travel time to feel like a true day trip, without turning the day into mostly transit.

About the timing, the plan allocates roughly 1 hour 15 minutes at the Montanejos thermal area early in the day. That’s enough to settle in, orient yourself, and get a feel for the spot before you commit to longer water time later.

If you’re someone who hates rushing, the bus-to-water pacing matters. You’ll have a guided flow, and that helps you avoid the classic group-day problem where the first stop feels chaotic and the last stop feels rushed.

Stop 1 at Montanejos: arriving at the thermal-springs zone

Your first key stop is Montanejos itself, where you’ll get situated at the thermal springs area. Admission there is listed as free for this portion, which is useful because it reduces pressure on what you need to pay attention to immediately. You can take in the area, check where the changing and bathing spots are, and get ready for the deeper soaking later.

This early stop also helps you understand how the day will feel. Montanejos is about water. If you’re expecting a quick photo stop, adjust your mindset: you’re here to spend time being comfortable in a water setting.

What to do with this time: scope out towel-and-clothes storage practices (don’t assume there’s a perfect setup), and plan your movement so you’re not scrambling right when the next bathing window starts.

Fuente de los Banos de Montanejos: the bathing portion you came for

After lunch, you move into the longer bathing block at Fuente de los Banos de Montanejos. This is where the tour earns its reputation as a true water day: the plan sets aside about 1 hour 30 minutes for bathing, and the water temperature is given as 25ºC / 77ºF.

That temperature matters more than you might think. It’s warm enough to feel relaxing without being so hot that you’ll want to rush out. In practical terms, it’s a comfortable soak window where you can linger, float, and rehydrate your body after the earlier travel and walk.

Admission for this segment is included, so you’re paying for time, not just access. And that’s better value than tours that treat bathing as a 15-minute checkbox.

Drawback to keep in mind: with a big group, your 1.5 hours can include moments of waiting for space in the best areas. If you want calmer pockets, keep a close eye on how people move through the water and take your pace cues from the guide’s directions.

The picnic break: a smart reset between water moments

Then comes a shorter stop back at Montanejos for a picnic in the thermal springs, scheduled for about 30 minutes. This is free admission. The value here is that it breaks up the day so you’re not soaking continuously with no downtime.

I like this kind of reset because it turns “water day” into “day that still feels like a day.” You’ll cool down, refocus, and then get ready for the more active waterfall segments.

Your practical move: pack a way to keep your clothes manageable after bathing. You’ll likely want your towel accessible and your backpack ready for quick transitions. The guide’s timing helps, but you’re the one who’ll make the change without losing your momentum.

Salto de la Novia: swimming and waterfall exploring

Next you head to Salto de la Novia, with about 1 hour on site and admission included. This is the most action-forward portion in the schedule: you’ll go swimming and explore the waterfall area.

This is where the tour shifts from soaking-relaxing to more on-your-feet exploring. Even if you swim, you’ll still spend time moving around to see the falls from different angles and to follow the guide’s suggested route.

What to expect: a setting where water is central, but movement matters. Bring the mindset that you’ll be in and out of wet zones and potentially adjusting your footing. If you opt for water shoes (listed as optional), they can be the difference between confident steps and constant caution.

Time reality: one hour sounds short, but it’s actually a good fit for a waterfall stop inside a full day trip. You’ll get enough to enjoy it without turning the waterfall into the entire day.

Navajas: a second shot at the waterfall area

After Salto de la Novia, you go to the town of Navajas, with about 50 minutes allocated there, and admission free. This portion is specifically framed as exploring the waterfall from the Navajas area.

Why a second stop? It’s simple: the waterfall experience isn’t one single viewpoint. Splitting it helps you avoid the all-too-common group problem where you only see the falls from one crowded angle. Here, you’re given more than one way to experience the area.

How to use this time: don’t treat it like extra sightseeing. Treat it like a chance to move, compare, and take photos while the group rhythm is stable. If you want photos, plan to step away from the busiest spots for a minute or two while still staying aware of the group pickup behavior.

Head back to Valencia: what “arrive around 5 pm” means

The last move is the return to Valencia, taking about 45 minutes. The tour notes you should arrive around 5 pm, and the activity ends back at the original meeting point.

This end time is genuinely useful. It gives you a full evening back in the city rather than dumping you at night. If you’re planning dinner or a late drink, you’ll still have choices—no need to rush.

Also, arriving near the meeting point makes your last step simple. You don’t need extra transfer navigation or complicated end-point logistics.

What’s included (and why it’s good value for a day trip)

This tour includes the major “time thieves” that often sink day trips: transit, tickets, and guided coordination.

Included items:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• All fees and taxes
• Local and professional guide
• Tickets (including for the bathing and some waterfall segments)
• Skip the lines at express security

That last one matters if you’re traveling in a group and want a smoother start. It’s one less anxiety point while you’re preparing for water clothes and quick transitions.

What’s not included:

• Lunch
• Drinks
• Hotel pickup

So you’ll want to eat lunch on your own and bring water or plan for drinks nearby when you can. The schedule is structured, but it doesn’t assume you’re drinking and eating for you.

Value takeaway: even without a lunch included, you’re paying for the hard part—getting to the sites efficiently and having your time window protected with guide-led pacing.

What to pack so the day feels easy

The tour gives clear guidance on what you should bring, and it’s worth following because this day is water-heavy.

Bring:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Backpack for carrying clothes
• Water shoes (optional)

If you want your day to feel smooth, I’d add one personal rule: pack a small dry-bag or extra plastic bag for damp items. Nothing fancy—just something to keep your clothes from turning your backpack into a swamp. The tour moves through multiple wet segments, so being prepared saves energy.

Group size: fun, but plan around the crowd rhythm

This is where expectations should be set. The tour notes a big group with a maximum of 100 travelers. That means you’ll get a lively vibe and a social energy, but it also means you should expect busy moments at the most popular water areas.

I’ve found that in tours like this, the best experience comes from going with the guide’s pace rather than trying to wander too far. If the guide says to group up at a specific time, treat that as your anchor. You’ll get the maximum out of both soaking time and waterfall time without ending up frustrated.

Weather matters more than you think

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

For you, that means two things:

1) Bring the mindset that plans depend on conditions.

2) If you’re traveling in shoulder season or rainy weeks, keep your day flexible if you can.

Because this is swimming and outdoor exploration, weather isn’t a minor factor—it’s core to how enjoyable the day will be.

Who this tour fits best

This is a great match if you want:

• A one-day break from city time
• Real water time, not just photos
• Guided support in English (with Spanish too)
• A schedule that balances soaking, eating breaks, and waterfall exploring

It also tends to suit people who like structure. You’ll move at set times across the route, and that reduces the work you’d have to do if you planned Montanejos and the waterfall areas on your own.

Should you book this Montanejos and Salto de la Novia day trip?

I think you should book it if you want an easy, organized day built around thermal springs bathing and waterfall time, without having to coordinate transport and tickets yourself. The English/Spanish guidance and the well-paced flow are exactly the kind of details that turn a day trip from stressful into genuinely fun.

Skip it, or at least think twice, if you hate crowds. With a big group, the most popular water spots can feel busy even if the guide keeps things moving. And if you’d rather build your day completely freely, the fixed schedule and swimming windows may feel limiting.

If you’re okay with a lively group rhythm and want a straightforward way to hit both Montanejos and the waterfall highlights in one day, this is a strong value choice.

FAQ

How long is the Montanejos thermal springs and waterfall tour from Valencia?

It’s about 8 hours total.

What’s the main meeting point in Valencia?

The tour starts at The Little Corner Café, Av. de Suècia, 27, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia, Spain.

What’s included during the day trip?

Included are air-conditioned transport, a local and professional guide, tickets/fees, and skip-the-line express security. Lunch and drinks are not included.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included.

How much time do we spend bathing in the thermal springs?

You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes at Fuente de los Banos de Montanejos for bathing.

What’s the water temperature at the thermal springs?

The water temperature is listed as 25ºC / 77ºF.

Do I need to bring a swimsuit?

Yes. You should bring a swimsuit, plus a towel. Water shoes are optional.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What’s the cancellation rule if my plans change?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Cancel less than 24 hours before and you won’t get a refund.