A night swim under real stars changes the rhythm. In Montanejos, I love the small-group vibe and the starlit thermal river that feels almost unreal once you’re floating. You’ll move through quiet nature spots before the water part, guided by Kiumars (often called Kiu), who makes it feel safe and personal.

One thing to plan for: this is not for non-swimmers. The tour is designed for people who can handle a gentle night swim with a guide who’s also acting as a lifeguard.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• A starlit float in Fuente de los Baños: thermal water, soft lighting, and a sky that actually looks like a sky
• Arenoso Dam at sunset: warm colors in the sky before night takes over
• Eerie canyon bird sounds: the Valley of the Screaming Birds adds atmosphere you won’t get in town
• Small group (up to 8): more attention, fewer bottlenecks, and a calmer pace
• Gear + photos handled for you: watershoes, lighting equipment, and pictures so you can focus on the moment

Montanejos at night: why this feels special

Montanejos is known for its waters, but at night it becomes something else. The thermal river is warm year-round (about 19–21°C / 66–70°F), so you’re not wrestling cold water while you’re trying to enjoy the stars.

What makes the experience really work is the timing. You’re not rushing straight into the swim. You first build the mood with lookout points, a dam sunset, and a secluded waterfall. By the time you reach Fuente de los Baños, the evening feels like it belongs to you—not to a crowd.

And yes, the starry part is the headline. The river is softly illuminated, so you get that cool effect of “up above is space, down below is water.” It’s the kind of sensory break that puts your body in park mode.

Starting with Serranos Towers: the easy Valencia pickup

Your evening starts right by the Serranos Towers in Valencia. The meeting point is next to the towers, and your guide will be easy to spot—he’s the person waving around with a red floating noodle.

This matters more than it sounds. When you’re heading out after dark, clear meeting points remove stress. It’s also one reason I like tours that are organized and small: you spend less energy figuring out where to go and more on what you came for.

The group size is capped at 8 people max, which helps the whole rhythm stay calm. Instead of a big van full of people trying to hear instructions, you get a more “with your guide” vibe, like you’re being shown places by someone who actually knows them.

Arenoso Dam sunset: the warm-up your photos will thank you for

Before night gets full control, you’ll stop for sunset views at Arenoso Dam. The sky there shifts into orange and pink tones, the kind of colors that look better in real life than through a screen.

I treat this as your mental warm-up. Watch it for a few minutes before you start photographing everything. When the light changes, your brain catches up—and that makes the later swim feel even more surreal.

Practical tip: if you can, keep your camera/phone ready but not constantly in your hand. You’ll want to actually look at the horizon for a minute, then capture a few shots once the colors hit their peak.

Waterfall stop and the Valley of the Screaming Birds: mood, not just miles

Your late afternoon includes a secluded waterfall stop, then a scenic route with a stop in Montanejos. Those quiet nature moments matter because they set a tone: this isn’t a checklist day. It’s a slow build from daylight scenery to night water.

Then comes one of the most atmospheric parts of the itinerary: the Valley of the Screaming Birds. The canyon echoes make the bird calls feel eerie, like the landscape has its own soundtrack. It’s not scary in a horror-movie way, but it adds drama to the evening.

If you like nature that feels slightly mysterious, this is where the tour earns its magic label. If you’re expecting only pretty photos, the bird soundscape can be a pleasant surprise because it adds something you can’t “post” as easily.

Fuente de los Baños starlit swim: how the thermal magic works

This is the heart of the tour: the Fuente de los Baños night swim. You’ll spend about 75 minutes there, guided, with time to look around, swim gently, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Two details make this experience work well for most people:

• The water is thermally comfortable year-round (19–21°C).
• You’re not just given permission to enter the river. You’re given the gear and the setup.

Kiumars provides watershoes and individual lighting gear, including color-coded blinking lights plus underwater flashlights. That lighting changes everything. It helps you see where you’re going, keeps the swim safer, and makes the whole “stars reflected in water” effect feel more intentional.

You’ll also have a guided component that includes marine life viewing and wildlife viewing. Even if you’re not an expert on what you’re seeing, the guide’s help turns the river into a living place, not just a pool at night.

Safety note that’s worth taking seriously: this is described as a night water tour, and minimal swimming skills will be required, with the guide (who’s also a lifeguard) helping you. If you can’t swim, this is not your tour.

The guide matters: Kiumars keeps it personal and safe

Kiumars (also referred to as Kiu) is a big reason this tour gets strong ratings. People highlight how he’s warm, informative, and detail-focused—like he’s thought through the small stuff so you don’t have to.

That shows up in what you get during the swim. The lighting setup and watershoes aren’t just nice-to-have items. They make it easier to stay relaxed, so you can enjoy the starlight instead of worrying about footing or visibility.

You’ll also appreciate the pacing. A 6-hour evening can feel long if it’s chaotic. Here, the stops flow across late afternoon into night, with clear moments to move, pause, and refuel your senses.

What about the local dinner stop (and what you’ll likely pay)?

After the swim, there’s a break in Montanejos with food options like dessert and snacks, plus time that includes dinner. Some versions of the experience list beer and wine as part of that stop.

But the booking info also says food and drinks are not included. So I’d plan like this: you’ll get time at a local restaurant or food break, but budget for what you choose to eat and drink.

The upside is you’re not eating in a rushed way on the road. You get a chance to sit, share the experience with your small group, and eat something local after being outside and in the water. By the time you head back, you’ll be warm, tired in a good way, and ready to sleep.

Duration and pacing: 6 hours that don’t feel rushed

The whole tour runs about 6 hours, which is a sweet spot for a night activity. Long enough to enjoy the dam sunset and the starlit swim, but not so long that you feel like you’re living out of a backpack.

The rough flow looks like this:

• Start near Serranos Towers in Valencia
• Multiple scenic/photo stops en route and on arrival
• Sunset at Arenoso Dam
• Secluded nature stops before the swim
• The starlit swim at Fuente de los Baños
• Dinner/food break in the area
• Return back to the Valencia meeting area

This pacing matters for comfort. If you go too early in the day, you miss the star factor. If you go too late without stops, you miss the emotional build that makes the swim feel like a payoff.

What you should bring (and what’s covered)

You’ll be provided watershoes, lighting gear, and pictures, plus transportation. That’s a real value add for night water activities: you don’t have to hunt down gear or figure out how to safely use it after dark.

What you should bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Change of clothes

That last item is not optional. Even with warm water, you’ll want dry layers after the swim. Wear something you can change out of easily, and think about how you’ll handle wet swimwear on the ride back.

If you have questions about what to wear, I suggest keeping it simple: comfortable clothes for walking and a swim-friendly outfit you’re okay drying off later.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This is a great match if you:

• Can swim at least lightly and comfortably
• Want an outdoors experience that feels calm and sensory, not crowded
• Like nature with atmosphere—waterfall views, canyon sounds, sunset sky
• Appreciate small-group attention, especially at night

It’s not suitable for:

• Wheelchair users
• Non-swimmers

If you’re an anxious swimmer, you might still feel okay because the guide helps and provides equipment, but you should be honest with yourself first. This isn’t “spectator night.” You’re part of the water experience.

Value check: is $147 a fair price?

At $147 per person for a ~6-hour guided evening, you’re paying for more than transport. You’re paying for:

• A small group cap (up to 8), which is where “personal” becomes real
• On-site safety gear for night water (watershoes and lighting setup)
• A guided experience across multiple scenic stops
• Photos so you don’t have to manage cameras while floating
• The logistics of getting you from Valencia to Montanejos for a night river moment

Could you do a DIY night swim somewhere warmer? Maybe. But night water without proper lighting and guidance is where plans often go wrong. Here, the tour is designed to keep the moment magical while reducing the “what if” stress.

The one caution on value: food and drinks aren’t included, even though there’s time set aside for dinner and snacks. If you like drinks with dinner, that can add cost. Still, even with that in mind, you’re buying an organized, guided day-evening transition that’s hard to replicate.

Best time to go: year-round thermal comfort

One big advantage here is the ability to go outside peak summer weather. The thermal water stays around 19–21°C throughout the year, including winter.

So if you’re visiting Valencia when it’s cooler, don’t automatically assume you’ll miss the swim. This tour is built for year-round comfort because the water does the heavy lifting.

Still, it’s a night outing. Bring that change of clothes, keep a warm layer for after the swim, and listen to your guide about timing in the dark.

Should you book this starlit swim in Montanejos?

If you want an evening that feels quiet, sensory, and genuinely different from the usual museum-and-tapas routine, I’d book it. The combination of sunset at Arenoso Dam, the eerie canyon atmosphere of the Valley of the Screaming Birds, and the guided starlit float at Fuente de los Baños is the kind of memory you’ll keep.

I’d hold off only if you can’t swim or you don’t want to be in the water at night. Otherwise, this is exactly the style of experience I look for: small group, clear guide support, and a payoff that feels like it belongs to the night sky.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Montanejos night swim?

You meet right next to the Serranos Towers in Valencia. Your guide will be easy to spot, waving around with a red floating noodle.

How long is the experience?

The tour runs for about 6 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes transportation, watershoes, lighting gear for the swim, and pictures.

Is the thermal river warm enough in winter?

Yes. The thermal waters stay all year round at about 19–21°C (66.2–69.8°F).

What swim experience do I need?

Minimal swimming skills are required, and the guide helps throughout the swim. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Which languages are available for the live guide?

The live tour guide offers English, French, German, Persian, and Spanish.

You Might Also Enjoy

Excellent Private Photography Walking Tour & Workshop in ValenciaRequena Somm. Private Vineyards/ Premium Wine tasting 1/2 DayValencia Private Walking Tour with Official Valencian GuideValencia: Art & Architecture Guided Tour with Monuments Tickets