It’s another hot, gorgeous, blindingly sunny day in Valencia. You peek out your window and see throngs of tourists parading through the streets.
You don’t want to brave the crowds on narrow city streets today. You want the fresh coolness of mountain air and a refreshing dip in natural waters.
Montanejos hot springs (aka Fuente de Baños) is absolutely perfect.
What exactly is this place?
Montanejos is a small village nestled up in the rugged mountains of Spain’s Castellón province. Its not-so-hidden gem? The Montanejos Hot Springs.
Think: A natural gorge full of crystal-clear waters, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush greenery all around.
The turquoise waters are naturally heated to around 25°C (77°F) all-year round and so clear, you can see the bottom. It’s a stunning oasis. It’s the perfect break from the city. And it’s really easy to get to. It’s also very family friendly – the springs offer both shallows and depth. I’d say it’s the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.
Quick things to note
Before we get packing, here are a couple things you should know.
It’s not that warm. Don’t let the name fool you – they may be called hot springs but the water here is far from warm. Even on a hot summer day, the water is cold enough to draw an audible gasp from most people. That being said – if it’s a hot day, you’ll warm up quickly once in the water.
For young kids, especially if they’re sensitive to cold water – a wetsuit is not a bad idea.
It’s rocky. If you’ve got aqua shoes – bring them. Both on the shore and in the springs, the floors are rocky. Your feet will thank you. If you’re planning on sunbathing on the shore, a thick towel helps as well.
There is parking. There’s a parking lot at the entrance of the hot springs which has cheap parking (especially compared to Valencia city). Keep in mind that the parking machine only accepts coins – no cards! If you don’t have cash on hand, you can download the parking app and pay that way. The downside to this convenient parking is that in the summer months – it gets very crowded. Which is why you’ll want to…
Get there early. Montanejos is not a hidden gem anymore. It’s an open secret. During the summer months, there are throngs of tourists. If you want a more peaceful experience, get there early to find a parking spot and enjoy serenity before the crowds arrive.
There’s food there. There’s a little cafe that serves food and drinks so you don’t need to pack a lunch at all.
But seating is very limited and they won’t let you order food to take away – you need to secure a table first. It does turnover pretty quickly but you’ll most likely have to wait. So if you have littles, bring snacks to tide them over.
There’s no facilities. The beautiful thing about these springs is that it is just nature pretty much all around. As such, it’s still pretty undeveloped. You won’t find changing rooms or bathrooms. Come prepared.
How do you get there?
Montanejos is just about 90 kilometers (56 miles) northwest of Valencia. That translates to a little over an hour from Valencia and it’s a beautiful route the whole way there.
Here are the best ways to get there…
By Car: The easiest way to reach Montanejos is by car. The drive is lovely, winding through beautiful countryside, small villages, and picturesque mountain views. It’s a short, easy drive and I’d recommend this option if you have small kids. This way, you can do pit stops, bathroom breaks, and leave when you’re ready.
With a Tour: If you don’t want to drive, you can go with a tour like this one. The biggest upside of choosing a tour isn’t just that you can sit back and enjoy the scenic journey – it’s that the whole route is taken care of.
You’ll stop at a gorgeous waterfall as well as the Montanejos hot springs and the whole way, the guide will point out the most interesting, significant parts. They’ll also take pictures for you, which is incredibly helpful since you want to swim – not worry about getting your phone wet.
Do you have to pay?
If you’re visiting during the summer months, you’ll have to pay to enter between the hours of 10AM to 6PM. You can purchase the tickets online or at the ticket window.
How much it costs:
- Online: €3 for general admission, €2 for kids between 4 and 10 years old and seniors over 65 years old
- In person: €3.50 for general admission, €2.50 for kids between 4 and 10 years old and seniors over 65 years old
The above is only for the summer months. If you check the website and the online sales is closed, that means entrance is now free.
Note: In the summer, it gets crowded. And it’s capped at 2,000 people per day. Buying tickets in advance is not just cheaper – it’s smarter.
Double note: You’ll also have to pay for parking. The parking machine doesn’t take cards. Having coins is convenient. Otherwise, you can download and pay via the parking app.
What to pack for a day at Montaejos?
You don’t need much. Here’s a quick and easy packing list.
Swimsuit: For obvious reasons.
Sunscreen: The sun can be insane in the summer. It’s Spain, after all. And there’s little shade in the hot springs (read: none at all). So make sure you have sun protection. A hat and sunglasses are in order, too.
Towel: There are no changing facilities or showers. The shore is also rocky. You might want a big towel – to sit on, to dry yourself with, and/or to use to hide yourself while you change.
Towel: There are no formal changing facilities at the springs, so bring your own towel and something to sit on by the water.
Water Shoes: The spring has a very rocky bottom that can be slippery in some places and ouch-y in others. You can go in the shallows with your flip-flops but that’s not so great for swimming down the river. So water shoes are immensely helpful.
Waterproof case: It’s gorgeous there. Of course, you want to take pictures. One of the most useful things you can pack is a waterproof case for your phone and/or camera.
Snacks and water: There is a cafe at the hot springs but there will be a line for food and you need to wait to be seated. Bringing snacks and water is a very good idea, especially if you have kids.
What can you do here?
Whatever you want, really. It’s a very open-ended kind of trip. You can stop by for a quick pit stop, spend a couple hours here, or set up for the entire day (or overnight). Just some quick suggestions…
Swim and soak: Of course, the perfect thing to do here is to swim and soak. The waters are purported to be rich in minerals and have healing properties so you can just sit in the shallows and soak it all up, taking in the nature around you.
Explore the gorge: Montanejos’ springs are set within the stunning Cañón del Río Mijares, a deep gorge carved by the Mijares River. You can take a walk along the riverbank or even explore the gorge more closely by swimming through parts of it. The towering cliffs on either side of the gorge create an almost otherworldly backdrop. Just keep in mind that the water can get deep here – over 10 ft deep – so only do it if you’re a strong swimmer.
Picnic: There is little shade in the hot springs themselves but at the opposite end of the gorge, there is a shallow pool that’s surrounded by trees. Bring a picnic blanket, food and drinks, and you can set up there the whole day and let the kids play.
Hiking and adventure sports: If you drive up to Montaejos, you’ll drive past groups of cyclists either struggling uphill or breezing downhill. It’s a gorgeous place to cycle, with several trails that lead through the surrounding mountains, offering stunning views of the canyon and the river. If you want more, you can also:
- Kayak around Lake Arenós. This giant reservoir is called Embalse de Arenós and is a stunning, man-made lake that was formed over several villages. So not only are you surrounded by forests, meadows, and high peaks – there are spots where you can see remaining remnants of these places long covered by water.
- Bungee jumping.
- Whitewater rafting.
- Rock climbing.
Visit the village: The town of Montanejos itself is charming and worth a visit. Stroll through the village, enjoy traditional Spanish cuisine at a local restaurant, or go for a full-on spa experience at Balneario de Montanejos (aka Montanejos Spa) where you can get various treatments like salt scrubs and massages as well as a thermal circuit with the water from the Montanejos hot springs.
Want to stay overnight?
You should. Most people do Montaenjos as an easy day trip from Valencia but staying the night is worth it, especially if you want to…
Get to the hot springs before the crowds. Especially in the summer months, Montanejos gets busy. Staying in the area overnight means you get to roll out of bed and go for a dip in the hot springs well before the throngs of tourists arrive.
Relax and unwind. After a day of soaking and swimming in the therapeutic waters, what’s better than enjoying a hearty meal at a traditional restaurant and then unwinding in this tranquil mountain village? The place is blissfully quiet after the tourists head back. There’s no pressure to drive back. Just peace and relaxation.
Stargaze. There’s a lot less pollution here in this rural area. And the distance from the bright city lights translates to some stunning nighttime skies.
Adventure. If you stay a couple days, you can see that there’s much more to this area than the hot springs. There are hiking trails, cycling routes, places to go rock climbing, canyoning, and even bungee jumping.
A Final Note
There are so many ways to enjoy a day (or several) at Montanejos. It’s a short break from Valencia that can be customized for absolutely anyone and everyone. A health and wellness spa break if you need it. A family day out that’s good for even young kids. And a really adventurous place to explore for the adrenaline junkies.
It’s a rural area that has a lot to offer. So pack your swimsuit, hit the road, and have fun!