Valencia: Waterfalls and Thermal Springs Tour with Swimming

Nature is closer to Valencia than you think. This eight-hour outing takes you from Estació del Nord to four striking sites near Montanejos, with a 60-meter waterfall, warm thermal water, canyon views, and a vast dam. I like the easy access, since the minibus parks close to each stop, and I like the friendly small-group style, with guides such as Mike, Anna, Siobhan, Morgane, Thomas, and Sofia praised for their care and good humor. The main drawback is simple: at $101 per person, you are paying for convenience and guiding, not a cheap day in the countryside.

The swimming stop is the heart of the day. Montanejos’ Blue Lagoon stays around 25°C year-round, though that temperature may feel refreshing rather than hot, especially outside summer. Lunch, drinks, and towels are not included, and the day runs rain or shine, so pack with some care.

Four reasons this day works well

• The Blue Lagoon stays about 25°C year-round, giving you a reliable chance to swim even outside the hottest months.
• The Bridal Veil waterfall drops 60 meters, with a chance to feel its spray or stand beneath it if conditions and your nerve allow.
• The minibus keeps walking modest, making the outing suitable for people who want scenery without a demanding hike.
• Mike’s Nomad Soul Retreat provides useful comfort, including changing rooms, bathrooms, a place for bags, and a spot to rest near the springs.
• The guides take photos for you, a real help when you want swimming pictures without risking your phone.
• The tour reaches places that are awkward without a car, making the $101 price easier to justify for many visitors.

Starting at Estació del Nord at 9:30

The day begins at Valencia’s Estació del Nord, the grand city-center train station on Calle Xàtiva. Meet by the main entrance and look for the large clock on the station tower. Construction may change the exact pickup point, so follow the current meeting instructions and wait just outside the gated area.

This is a practical meeting place. It is central, easy to find, and useful if you are staying in Valencia’s old center or arriving by train. One especially helpful detail is the return to the same place around 5:30 PM. You do not need to arrange a second pickup or end the day in an unfamiliar village.

You ride in a newer, air-conditioned minibus. The group is described as small, often around a dozen people, though the exact number can vary. That size matters. You get more personal help than on a large coach, and it is easier for the guide to keep everyone together near the water.

The drive out takes about 45 minutes to the first nature stop. The trip is part of the experience, with mountain scenery replacing Valencia’s city streets. Still, remember that this is a full-day outing with several hours on the road. If you prefer spending every minute in the water, a day trip may feel busy.

The 60-meter Bridal Veil waterfall

The first major stop is the Bridal Veil, a tall waterfall dropping roughly 60 meters through the mountain setting. The name is apt: water spills down in a long pale sheet, and spray hangs in the air near the base.

You have time for sightseeing, photos, and, if conditions permit, a shower under the falling water. That last part is optional. You do not need to get soaked to enjoy the stop, and the guide can help you judge where it is sensible to stand.

The setting also brings a wildlife bonus. Mountain goats can sometimes be seen along the ridge. They may appear briefly rather than pose for the perfect photograph, so keep your eyes on the rock above instead of staring only at your phone.

This is a strong opening stop because it gives you a dramatic view before the swimming portion. The possible weakness is that a waterfall’s force and appearance depend on weather and water flow. The tour operates in rain or shine, but nature does not promise the same spectacle every day.

Swimming in Montanejos’ Blue Lagoon

After around 40 minutes of driving, you reach the Montanejos area and its Blue Lagoon thermal springs. The water is listed at about 25°C throughout the year. That makes swimming possible in spring and autumn, though I would describe it as mild and refreshing rather than bath-hot.

The water is the main reason to book this outing. You can swim in clear spring water surrounded by cliffs and canyon scenery, rather than spending another day beside a city pool. Some parts may feel more demanding for weak swimmers, and one practical account noted that the swimming can be challenging if you are not confident in the water.

That does not mean you need to be an expert swimmer. Water shoes are included, and guides have helped people feel more secure in the water. Still, bring your own honest assessment of your ability. Ask for assistance before entering, stay near areas where you feel comfortable, and do not treat the cliff-jump element as compulsory. The tour includes adventure, not pressure.

Allow time for changing before and after the swim. The nearby Nomad Soul Retreat has changing rooms, clean bathrooms, a secure place for your belongings, and space to sit among olive trees. Those facilities make a real difference. Without them, an outdoor swimming stop can become a scramble with wet clothes and nowhere to put your bag.

Bring a swimsuit and towel even though water shoes are supplied. Pack sunscreen, drinking water, comfortable clothing, and shoes that can handle wet paths. A towel is especially important because it is not included.

The Nomad Soul Retreat and the social side

Mike’s retreat is more than a passing photo stop. It gives the day a base near the springs, where you can dry off, change, and take a break. For many people, this will be one of the tour’s best practical touches.

The atmosphere is intentionally social. Guides encourage conversation, music may play in the vehicle, and the group often eats together. That can be a pleasure if you are traveling alone or hoping to meet people. Several accounts describe solo visitors feeling welcomed, with guides offering encouragement during the more adventurous parts.

It can also be a consideration. This is not a silent private excursion. The tour has a friendly, interactive mood, and you may spend the day with a mixed group of couples, families, and solo visitors. If you want complete control over the pace, meals, and time at each site, hiring a private driver would suit you better, though likely at a different price.

The company provides photos, another thoughtful detail. Guides such as Morgane, Anna, and Siobhan have been praised for taking useful swimming and group pictures. You can leave your phone out of the water and enjoy the moment.

Lunch in Montanejos

Food is not included, but the guide points you toward budget-friendly choices. You may eat at the Blue Lagoon snack bar or go into Montanejos for a local meal. Bringing your own food is also allowed.

The village lunch option adds something that a packed meal cannot: a taste of ordinary local life away from Valencia’s center. One particularly positive account described a good-value meal in a local restaurant. Still, prices and choices can vary, and you should budget separately for lunch and drinks.

The schedule gives you time to eat after the swim, but this is not a long food-focused tour. You are there for the countryside and water. If you need a specific diet, dislike spontaneous meal choices, or want a large meal, bring suitable food with you.

The Mijares River canyon lookout

After lunch, the route moves to a viewpoint over the Mijares River canyons. This is a short photo stop, around 15 minutes according to the planned schedule, so expect a quick look rather than a long walk through the gorge.

The view adds scale to the day. At the springs, you are close to the water and cliffs. At the canyon viewpoint, you can step back and see how the river has cut through the surrounding rock. It is also a useful pause after swimming and lunch.

Do not expect a strenuous trek here. The tour is designed around short walks and nearby parking. That makes it a good choice if you have bad knees, limited stamina, or simply want a nature day without hiking boots and a packed rucksack. One person with mobility problems found the paths manageable and appreciated the guides’ attention.

The short stop does have a tradeoff. You will have enough time for photos and a look around, but not for a long, quiet stay. If canyon walking is your top priority, this tour gives you a view rather than a full route.

The Montanejos dam and reservoir

The final major sight is the Montanejos dam, a large piece of engineering holding back a calm reservoir. It provides a striking contrast with the waterfall and springs. Earlier, the water is wild and moving. Here, it is contained and still, with the structure showing how people have reshaped the river.

The dam can be especially impressive when water is released through its massive outlet. The force of the water gives this stop energy after the quieter canyon view. It is also one of the places where the tour blends natural scenery with human engineering instead of presenting the countryside as untouched.

You may have time for photos and a short walk. The guide keeps the group moving so the day can return to Valencia on schedule. People have enjoyed seeing the dam overflow, but conditions can affect how much water is being released. Do not assume the same dramatic flow every day.

What the $101 price really covers

At $101, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day outside Valencia. But public transport to Montanejos can be difficult, and reaching four separate sites without a car would take planning, connections, and local navigation.

The price includes:

• Air-conditioned minibus transportation
• A live guide in English, French, or Spanish
• Dutch on request
• Entry fees for the attractions
• Water shoes
• Photos taken by the team

You also get a planned route, local guidance, help around the water, and the use of changing facilities at the Nomad Soul Retreat. Those extras explain why the tour can be good value for visitors without a car, especially if you would otherwise need a rental vehicle and fuel.

The price does not include lunch, drinks, or a towel. Add those costs before deciding. The value is strongest if you want an organized day, do not want to drive, and appreciate having someone take photos and manage the route. It is weaker if you already have a car and prefer to visit one place slowly.

Is it suitable for families, solo visitors, and less active visitors?

The tour suits a wide range of people because it is not built around a long hike. Parking is close to the main stops, and the walking is limited. A family with a 13-year-old enjoyed the mix of waterfall, swimming, and views, while a visitor with painful knees managed the paths without ending the day in discomfort.

Swimming ability deserves more attention than fitness. You can enjoy the waterfall and viewpoints without entering the water, but the Blue Lagoon is the day’s central activity. If you are nervous, tell the guide. The team has offered flotation and other help to people who were less comfortable swimming.

Families should also remember that the trip runs for eight hours. That is a long day for very young children, especially with driving between stops. The supplied information does not specify a minimum age, so check current booking details before reserving for a child.

Solo visitors may find the friendly group format a plus. Guides have been praised for introducing people, keeping the mood relaxed, and offering encouragement during cliff jumps or swimming. Couples and friend groups will also have plenty of time for photographs and shared activities.

Languages, weather, and what to pack

Guiding is available in English, French, and Spanish, with Dutch available on request. The team includes several guides, and individual guides have been praised for warmth, clear explanations, and calm support. You should confirm your preferred language when booking.

The trip runs rain or shine and has rarely been canceled over its long operating history. That is useful, but it means you should not book expecting perfect sun. Pack layers and comfortable clothes rather than relying on a swimsuit alone.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Comfortable shoes
• Sunscreen
• Drinking water
• Comfortable clothing

Water shoes are supplied, so you do not need to buy a pair for this tour. You may still want a small bag for dry clothes, though a secure place for belongings is available at the retreat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Valencia plans are still changing.

Should you book the Montanejos day trip?

I would recommend this tour if you want to escape Valencia for a full day, swim in natural spring water, and see several sites without renting a car. The waterfall, Blue Lagoon, canyon viewpoint, and dam give the day good variety, while the minibus and short walks keep it manageable.

Book it especially if you are traveling alone, value a sociable group, or want guides to handle photos, transport, and the practical details. Mike’s personal style and the team’s friendly approach are a major part of the appeal.

Think twice if you want a quiet, private outing, dislike group schedules, or expect genuinely hot thermal baths. The Blue Lagoon is around 25°C, not a steaming spa pool, and lunch costs extra. For most visitors, though, the combination of easy logistics, strong scenery, and time in the water makes $101 a fair price for a memorable day beyond Valencia.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Estació del Nord in Valencia, on Calle Xàtiva. Meet near the main entrance by the large clock on the station tower. Because of construction, pickup may take place just outside the gated area.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts eight hours. It starts at 9:30 AM and returns to Estació del Nord at about 5:30 PM.

What is included in the price?

Transportation in an air-conditioned minibus, a live guide, entry fees to the attractions, water shoes, and photos taken by the team are included.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. The guide suggests options at the Blue Lagoon snack bar or in Montanejos, and you may bring your own food.

How warm is the Blue Lagoon?

The Montanejos thermal springs are described as staying at about 25°C year-round. The water may feel refreshing rather than hot.

Do I need to be an experienced swimmer?

No specific swimming qualification is required, but the water section may challenge people who are not confident swimmers. Guides can provide assistance and equipment to help you feel more comfortable.

Is there much walking?

No. The tour is not designed as a hiking trip. The minibus parks close to the main locations, with short walks to the waterfall, springs, viewpoints, and dam.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, drinking water, and comfortable clothes. Water shoes are provided, but towels are not.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.