Valencia: a 4-star winter escape

Checkin Valencia Ciscar: Comfort and Tranquility Near Valencia

The Checkin Valencia Ciscar is a cozy 4-star hotel located in Picanya, just 7 kilometres from downtown Valencia. Its location combines a peaceful setting with convenient access to some of the city’s main attractions.

The hotel features fully equipped rooms, offering a functional and comfortable stay for short holidays.

Highlights of its facilities include a spacious garden with a pool, a restaurant, a bar-café, private car park, and free Wi-Fi throughout the accommodation.

Book your stay at Checkin Valencia Ciscar and discover Valencia at your own pace, with everything you need to enjoy your time without any worries.

Picanya offers a slower-paced taste of Valencia, just a few kilometres from the region’s lively capital. Here, traditional neighbourhood life sits alongside parks and the green fields of the huerta, the fertile farmland that has shaped local food and everyday rhythms for generations.

Choose Picanya for a relaxed break with a strong sense of place: cycle through the countryside, linger over a generous local lunch and keep Valencia’s historic streets and contemporary sights within easy reach. It’s a particularly appealing base for couples and families who want a quieter stay without missing out on the city.

Make sure you visit:

Begin with an easy stroll through Picanya’s parks. Look closely at the trees and you may spot ceramic plaques bearing the names and birth dates of local children—a charming tradition that gives an ordinary walk a personal connection to the town. It’s a lovely detail for families to look out for together, and a reminder of how closely community life is woven into this small Valencian municipality.

The surrounding huerta is another part of Picanya’s appeal. Follow the area’s cycle paths past cultivated fields and enjoy a glimpse of the landscape that supplies the region’s kitchens. If you’d like a change of pace, ride towards Valencia and trade the open countryside for the city’s grand architecture and busy squares.

Picanya also has a history reaching back to the Muslim period, followed after the Christian conquest by connections with the Knights Hospitaller. As you explore, keep that long past in mind: this may be a small town, but its story stretches back through centuries of change.

Family-friendly activities:

A day outdoors can begin with a gentle walk among the parks, turning the search for the children’s tree plaques into a small treasure hunt. Afterwards, set out along the cycle paths through the huerta. The flat, open landscape makes a pleasant change from sightseeing in the city, while the fields offer plenty to notice along the way.

For a bigger outing, head into Valencia and mix a wander through the historic centre with a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences. Families can balance time among the city’s sights with a quieter evening back in Picanya, where the pace feels more local and unhurried.

Local delicacies you have to try:

In Picanya, a meal is as much about taking your time as it is about what’s on the table. Make room for the esmorzaret, the traditional late-morning snack that can feel like a meal in its own right. Order a hearty sandwich—chivito is a classic choice—with peanuts and olives, then round things off with a cremaet, coffee finished with a warming touch of liquor.

Valencia’s huerta is also the natural setting for paella. When you have the chance, look for the traditional version with chicken and rabbit, cooked over a fire of orange wood. It’s a memorable way to taste the connection between the surrounding farmland and the region’s best-known dish. Settle in over lunch and let the meal take its time.

Make the most of your visit:

Picanya makes a handy base for pairing countryside time with a day in Valencia. The city is only a few kilometres away, so you can head in for its historic centre, the City of Arts and Sciences or a relaxed evening in a Mediterranean setting.

• Valencia (around 15 minutes by car): explore the historic centre, visit the City of Arts and Sciences or simply enjoy the city’s Mediterranean atmosphere.

Valencia, Mediterranean sunshine, culture, and flavour

With its perfect blend of Mediterranean charm, futuristic architecture, and traditional Spanish spirit, Valencia is one of Spain’s most vibrant coastal cities. Famous for its City of Arts and Sciences, golden beaches, and the world-famous paella, this is a destination where modern life and ancient history coexist beautifully. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with the family, Valencia promises sunshine, culture, and a relaxed seaside vibe all year round.

Make sure you visit

• City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias): A spectacular futuristic complex designed by Santiago Calatrava, home to a science museum, an opera house, and one of Europe’s largest aquariums.
• Valencia Cathedral: Climb the Miguelete tower for breathtaking city views and discover the chapel said to house the Holy Grail.
• El Carmen District: Wander through narrow medieval streets filled with colourful murals, quirky shops, and lively tapas bars.
• Central Market (Mercado Central): One of the largest and oldest fresh food markets in Europe, a feast for all the senses.
• Turia Gardens (Jardín del Turia): A lush green park built in the old riverbed, perfect for cycling, walking, or picnicking under the orange trees.

Beaches we think you’ll like

• Playa de la Malvarrosa: The city’s most famous beach, with wide golden sands, palm-lined promenades, and plenty of beach bars to enjoy a refreshing horchata.
• Playa de la Patacona: A bit quieter than Malvarrosa but equally stunning, perfect for families and sunset walks.
• El Saler Beach: Located inside the Albufera Natural Park, this unspoilt stretch of coastline offers calm waters and dunes backed by pine forests, a true escape from the city.

Family-friendly activities

• Explore Oceanogràfic, Europe’s largest aquarium, where kids can see sharks, dolphins, and beluga whales.
• Take a bike ride through Turia Gardens, stopping at playgrounds and fountains along the way.
• Visit the Bioparc Valencia, a next-generation zoo designed to replicate natural habitats, a big hit with both children and adults.
• Hop on a boat tour in Albufera Lake to see traditional fishing boats and spot migrating birds.

Make sure you try these local delicacies

• Paella Valenciana: The original recipe was born here, made with chicken, rabbit, and green beans, cooked slowly over an open flame.
• Horchata & Fartons: A refreshing drink made from tiger nuts, best enjoyed with sweet pastries for dipping.
• Arroz al horno: A baked rice dish with chickpeas and sausage, rich and comforting.
• Agua de Valencia: A local cocktail made with cava, orange juice, and a touch of vodka, perfect for warm evenings.

Make the most of your visit and go to ...

• Albufera Natural Park: Just 10 km south of the city, this vast wetland reserve is ideal for birdwatching, boat rides, and tasting authentic paella at lakeside restaurants.
• Sagunto: A short drive north of Valencia, this ancient town boasts a Roman theatre and impressive hilltop castle with panoramic views.
• Xàtiva: Discover a beautiful historic town surrounded by mountains and crowned by a medieval castle that once guarded the Kingdom of Valencia.
• Requena: Wine lovers shouldn’t miss this inland town, famous for its cava wineries and traditional cave cellars.