Shijak (definite Albanian form: Shijaku) is a town and a municipality in Durrës County, west-central Albania, with a total population of 28,000 (2011).

Understand

The small city of Shijak is 11 km from Durrës, and 31 km from Tirana. Settled in a fertile flat plain with surrounding rolling hills, Shijak could be an excellent choice to pass some time in the nature and enjoy the Erzen River which runs through Shijak, and the spring of Gjyshi, spring of Dushku, and Erzen Lake who are all in the nearby vicinity of the city.

Shijak its well known for its Bosnian community settlements and restaurants where you can enjoy a mix of the Albanian cuisine with the Bosnian and Mediterranean ones.

Get in

By plane

The closest airport to reach Shijak is the Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza located in the capital, Tirana. There is no bus directly from the airport to Shijak, but you can take a cab. The airport is nearly 24 km from the centre of Shijak.

By bus

Your first option is to travel by bus. If you are coming through Tirana, you have multiple private and public buses running between the two places. You can catch the bus to Shijak- at Regional Bus Terminal - North and South Albania (8QVG+MQV, Kashar) from 07:00 until 18:00.

By car

You can also rent a car to drive yourself (if your license is valid in Albania) or hire a taxi.

If you are driving for things to do in Shijak, you can take route SH2.

By boat

Shijak does not have a port, but the nearby town of Durrës does. Durrës Port is nearly 14 km from the center of Shijak.

Get around

Shijak is a small city, and the best way to get to see it is by walking.

By bike

The city is quite suitable for biking too.

See

• Erzen River, Shijak. You can take a walk by the Erzen River and enjoy take a bath in the river. (updated Aug 2021)

Do

Shijak is surrounded by beautiful surrounding rolling hills with trails lush with greenery alongside the Erzen River where you can walk or bike.

You can enjoy fresh food in the countryside or the restaurants nearby.

Buy

In the countryside and the city, you can buy fresh food from the nearby villages.

Eat

Due to its mix population and influence of different cultures , you can enjoy some really good food in Shijak.

• 1 Gjepali Agrotourism, Gjepalaj Shijak, Durres 2014 Albania, ☏ +355 68 905 8888. Daily 09:00-00:00. Gjepali Agrotourism is run by one of the best Albanian chefs, Fundim Gjepali, a local who returned after a long stay in Italy to invest in his motherland. Here you can enjoy traditional food of Central Albania mixed with the Mediterranean cuisine. (updated Aug 2021)
• Auto Grill Bosnja, SH2, km 7. Open 24 hours. At this restaurant you can enjoy some traditional Bosnian specialities. (updated Aug 2021)