Valencia: Waterfalls and Thermal Springs Tour with Swimming

The best part of this day is the change of scene. You leave Valencia’s streets behind and reach the mountain country around Montanejos, where a 60-meter waterfall and clear thermal water provide the main show. You also get canyon views and a dam without signing up for a hard hike.

I like the easy setup: an air-conditioned minibus, water shoes, entry fees, and guides who help with photos and the practical bits. I also like the human touch at Mike’s Nomad Soul Retreat, where you can change, store your things, and take a break near the springs. The main consideration is the price, $101, plus lunch, and the spring water may feel refreshing rather than truly warm.

Key points

• Swim in the Blue Lagoon: The Montanejos springs are advertised at 25°C year-round, with clear water and canyon scenery.
• See the Bridal Veil waterfall: The 60-meter fall is a dramatic first stop, with a chance to feel the spray and shower beneath it if conditions suit.
• Travel without a car: The tour handles the difficult public transport connection between Valencia and Montanejos.
• Four distinct stops: You get a waterfall, thermal springs, Mijares River canyon views, and the Montanejos dam.
• Minimal walking: The minibus parks close to each site, making the day suitable for a range of fitness levels.
• Small-group atmosphere: The guides encourage conversation, take photos, and help less confident swimmers.

Why this Montanejos day trip works

Montanejos is far enough from Valencia to feel like a proper escape, but close enough for a full day out. The drive takes you into the Valencian Community’s interior, where steep rock walls, river water, and mountain roads replace the city’s flat coastal setting.

This is not a demanding walking excursion. You ride between the main points and walk short distances at each one. That matters if you have sore knees, limited stamina, or simply want a day outside without spending hours on a trail.

The tour begins at 9:30 AM in front of Valencia’s Estació del Nord, on Calle Xàtiva. Look for the large clock on the station tower. Construction may affect the exact pickup spot, so the meeting point is just outside the gated area rather than directly in front of the main doors.

You return to the same place at about 5:30 PM. That central start and finish make the trip easy to fit into a Valencia visit, especially if you are staying near the old town or using the train station.

The 60-meter Bridal Veil waterfall

The first major stop is the Bridal Veil waterfall, a 60-meter cascade set among rocky mountain scenery. The name fits the long, pale sheet of falling water, but the real pleasure is getting close enough to feel its fine spray.

You may be able to stand beneath the fall for a quick shower if you are comfortable with the footing and water. Bring swimwear from the start, since changing later may not be convenient. A towel is just as useful here as it is at the springs.

The surrounding area adds interest beyond the waterfall itself. The tour highlights mountain goats along the ridge, so keep your eyes on the higher rock faces rather than staring only at the water. This is also a good early photo stop, before the day’s swimming and lunch.

The waterfall stop lasts about an hour. That gives you time for pictures and a closer look without turning the morning into a long walk. Paths are described as manageable, though you should still wear shoes with a secure sole. Wet rocks and spray are not a good match for smooth sandals.

Swimming in Montanejos’ Blue Lagoon

The main event is the Blue Lagoon thermal springs in Montanejos. The water is listed at 25°C throughout the year, which is pleasant by many standards but may feel cool when you first enter, especially in spring or after standing in the shade.

The setting is the real reward. You swim in clear spring water surrounded by rock and canyon scenery, rather than in a formal pool with tiled edges. The water is suitable for a relaxing bath, but this is still an outdoor setting. You should be comfortable in open water and follow the guide’s advice.

The tour team provides water shoes, a useful detail for getting in and moving around near the water. You should still bring your own swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, drinking water, and comfortable clothing. A dry layer for the ride home is sensible, since sitting in an air-conditioned minibus in damp swimwear is not ideal.

The experience can work for less confident swimmers, too. Guides have helped people who needed extra reassurance, and one guide carried equipment so everyone could feel more at ease. Still, this is not a private swimming lesson. If you are uncomfortable in natural water, tell the guide early and stay within your ability.

A useful stop at Nomad Soul Retreat

Near the springs, the tour uses Mike’s Nomad Soul Retreat. This is more than a name on the schedule. The retreat provides changing rooms, clean bathrooms, a secure place for your belongings, and an area with olive trees where you can sit in the sun.

Those small facilities make a big difference. Without them, a swimming stop can mean carrying a wet towel and valuables around all day, then trying to change beside a public path. Here, you have a practical base before and after the water.

It is also where the social side of the tour comes through. The guides encourage the group to spend time together, and solo visitors can easily meet other people. The atmosphere is informal rather than scripted. Mike is known for welcoming people into the group, while guides including Anna, Siobhan, Morgane, Thomas, and Sofia have each led departures with a friendly, encouraging approach.

The retreat is not a separate major attraction, so do not book the tour expecting a long visit there. Think of it as a comfortable support point that makes the swimming portion easier.

Canyon views along the Mijares River

After the water and lunch, the minibus heads to a viewpoint over the Mijares River canyons. The stop is short, around 15 minutes, but it gives you a different view of the region.

From above, the river cuts through steep rock walls, showing why Montanejos is popular with people seeking outdoor scenery rather than city sightseeing. This is a photo stop, not a long hike. You can take in the view, listen to the guide’s explanation, and get back on the bus without using up your afternoon.

The guides also take photos during the day. That is especially helpful at the swimming stop, where you may not want to risk your phone or camera. Do not expect a formal professional photo session, but you should have useful pictures of the main moments without having to ask a stranger.

The Montanejos dam and its powerful water

The final major sight is the Montanejos dam and reservoir. It brings a human structure into a day otherwise focused on natural scenery. The huge wall and still water create a strong contrast with the rough canyon rock.

The tour also highlights powerful blasts of water from the dam’s large outlet. The spectacle can vary with operating conditions, so the main certainty is the dam, reservoir, and viewpoint rather than a guaranteed water display at a precise moment.

This stop is worthwhile because it adds scale. The waterfall shows nature in motion, the springs let you enter the water yourself, and the dam shows how people have shaped the river. You get several kinds of scenery in one day instead of four versions of the same photo stop.

Lunch is flexible, but not included

Food and drinks are not part of the $101 price. The guides suggest budget-friendly choices at the Blue Lagoon snack bar or in Montanejos town, and you can bring your own lunch.

This flexibility is useful. You can spend less with a packed meal, or join the group at a local restaurant for a more social break. One departure included a good-value meal in the village, described as authentic local food. Since the exact restaurant and timing can vary, do not treat lunch as a fixed included feature.

Bring water even though food options are available. You are outside for much of the day, and swimming, sun, and warm weather can leave you thirstier than expected. Valencia is known for many sunny days, but the tour runs rain or shine, so a light waterproof layer is also sensible when the forecast is uncertain.

Transport, timing, and group feel

The drive includes a roughly 45-minute first bus section, shorter transfers between stops, and the return journey to Valencia. The minibus is air-conditioned and described as new, which matters after swimming or during a warm inland afternoon.

The group is generally small, with one departure described as about a dozen people. That size allows the guide to help with photos, swimming confidence, and mobility concerns without the day feeling like a large coach excursion.

The pace is planned but not frantic. You stop at the main points, have time to swim, pause for lunch, and return in the early evening. The route is designed to avoid long walks, though one swimming area may involve a short hill. A guest with bad knees completed the day comfortably, but you should still mention any mobility issue before setting out.

Guides speak English, French, and Spanish. Dutch may be available on request. The team’s style is a major part of the appeal: Siobhan has been praised for keeping things calm while encouraging the group, Morgane for taking photos and speaking several languages, and Mike for bringing people together. The exact guide depends on the departure.

Is $101 good value?

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Montanejos. You also pay for lunch and drinks yourself. If you already have a car and are happy arranging parking, spring access, and the route on your own, you might spend less.

The value improves if you are staying in Valencia without a car. Montanejos is not a simple public transport outing, and the tour removes the need to plan several connections. You also get transport, guide service, entry fees, water shoes, access to changing facilities, and photos.

For me, the strongest value is the number of useful details handled for you. You do not need to carry water shoes, hunt for a safe place for your bag, or work out how to combine the waterfall, springs, canyon view, and dam in one day.

The price is easier to justify for solo visitors and couples who would otherwise need to rent a car. It may feel high for a family already equipped with a vehicle, especially because lunch is extra. Compare the total cost of your alternative, not just the tour fee.

What to pack and who should book

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, drinking water, comfortable clothes, and shoes that can handle a short walk and wet ground. The supplied water shoes are helpful, but comfortable footwear for the rest of the day still matters.

I would choose this trip if you want swimming, scenery, and light walking in one package. It suits solo visitors, couples, friend groups, families with older children, and anyone who wants to see Montanejos without driving.

It is less suitable if you want a serious hike, a quiet private outing, or a full day at one swimming spot. The tour moves through four locations, so each stop has a set amount of time. The spring water may also feel brisk despite the stated 25°C temperature.

The day runs in rain or shine, with cancellations said to be rare. That policy makes packing for the forecast important. In hot weather, bring extra water and sun protection. In cooler or wet weather, pack a dry layer and accept that the waterfall and canyon will look different from the sunny promotional picture.

Should you book this Valencia nature tour?

Book it if you want an easy, social route into the Valencian mountains and do not have a car. The combination of the Bridal Veil waterfall, Blue Lagoon swim, Mijares River views, and Montanejos dam gives you a full day with good variety.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the practical support, small-group feel, and guides who help make the swimming and photo stops comfortable. Skip it if $101 feels too high for a guided day, you dislike group travel, or you want strenuous walking rather than short access paths.

For most visitors looking for a memorable break from Valencia, this is a well-balanced choice. Pack your swimsuit, accept that lunch costs extra, and expect a refreshing rather than tropical swim.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and ends in front of Valencia’s Estació del Nord on Calle Xàtiva. Because of construction, pickup takes place just outside the gated area near the station’s large clock tower.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts about eight hours. The stated schedule starts at 9:30 AM and returns to Valencia at about 5:30 PM.

Is the Blue Lagoon really warm?

The springs are described as 25°C year-round. In practice, the water may feel refreshing rather than hot, especially in cooler weather or when you first enter.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can bring your own food or follow the guide’s suggestions for a snack bar, village meal, or local restaurant.

What languages are available?

Guides operate in English, French, and Spanish. Dutch may be available on request.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, drinking water, comfortable clothing, and comfortable shoes. Water shoes are included with the tour.