Animal time with a fjord view.

Steim Farm in Vik turns a short guided visit into an up-close look at how a working farm lives today. You get farm life stories as you walk, plus big views toward Vik and the Sognefjorden.

What I like most is the mix of hands-on animals and real farm routines. You’ll see how green grass becomes animal feed, taste strawberries from the organic vegetable garden, and then wander through barns and stables where the ducks sometimes nest.

The one thing to keep in mind is that this experience is weather dependent. If conditions are poor, you may need to shift plans, and the picnic basket is optional rather than included.

Key things to know before you go

• Small group size (up to 8): makes the tour feel personal and keeps the pace easy.
• Working farm focus: you do not just pass through animal pens, you learn how farm work ties together.
• Strawberries from the organic garden: a simple tasting moment that feels local.
• Multiple animal encounters: alpacas, ducks, goats in the pastures, plus fjord horses and long-wool sheep when they’re around.
• Views over Vik and the fjord: the orchard picnic area is designed for scenery and photos.
• Optional add-on picnic basket: available for an extra fee, with adult and child pricing.

Steim Farm in Vik: what this 1 hour, 10 minute visit is really like

This is a short, well-paced guided farm visit that runs about 1 hour 10 minutes. For many people, that makes it a smart fit when you want something authentic in Vik without committing to a long day.

The farm tour is capped at 8 travelers, so you’re not getting shuffled along in a crowd. Instead, your guide can slow down for kids, answer questions about animals, and talk through the day-to-day rhythm of the farm.

You’ll also have the convenience of a mobile ticket, and the visit is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, which matters in real-life travel planning.

Where you meet in Vik (and how the stop near the church works)

The visit starts at Stadheimsvegen 70, 6893 Vik i Sogn and ends back at the same meeting point. That simple “back where you started” setup is helpful if you’re juggling a tight schedule, like a port day or a bus connection.

One nice detail is the way the route connects farm views with a historic landmark. From the farm, you get glimpses toward Hove Stone Church, which dates to around 1170. If you want transport and prefer to be dropped off at the church rather than at the tourist information, that option is listed as possible.

You’re not signing up for a full church visit here. Think of it as a practical way to spot something ancient from a nearby vantage point, then decide if you want to go closer afterward.

Stop 1 on the tour: Steim Farm and the day-to-day rhythm of a real farm

The Steim portion is the heart of the experience. You walk around the farm with a friendly guide who explains how the place works, then you move through areas where animals are part of daily life.

From green grass to animal feed

One thing I really respect about this tour is that it does not treat farming like theater. You’ll see fields and hear how the farm connects grass to animal feed. It’s a quick, clear way to understand that animal care is only the visible part of the job.

If you’re the type of traveler who likes practical answers, this portion delivers. You’re not just told what animals are here, you’re shown how the farm manages what animals eat and how the system stays running year after year.

Organic vegetable garden tasting

Next comes the garden. You’ll visit the organic vegetable garden, and you can taste strawberries there. In a good season, this kind of tasting feels small, but it’s memorable because it’s tied to the farm’s own growing cycle rather than a store-bought snack.

It also gives you a break from the animal focus, which keeps the tour balanced, especially for kids who might need a minute to reset.

Barn and stables, including the ducks

After the garden, the tour moves into the working spaces. You’ll visit the barn and the animal stables, and the tour notes that sometimes ducks are nesting in the stable.

That detail matters because it sets expectations. This is not a staged “look but don’t touch” setup. It’s a living farm environment, where animals make the schedule.

Meet the animals up close: alpacas, ducks, goats, and more

This is where the visit earns its popularity. You’ll meet alpacas and ducks, and the guide leads you through encounters that often include feeding. The experience also calls out goats grazing in the pastures above, plus chances to see a Norwegian fjord horse and traditional long-wool sheep.

Based on real visitor moments, alpacas can be playful up close. One report describes a young alpaca that developed an interest in a visitor’s shirt and even nibbled on buttons. You should assume you might get similar cute surprises, especially if there are youngsters around.

For animal lovers, the best part is the mix. It’s not only alpacas. You’ll also see ducks, and in some visits you’ll spend time with geese as well. That broader set of animals makes the hour feel fuller.

If you chose a picnic basket

If you selected a picnic basket, you’ll enjoy it from the orchard, with views of Vik and the fjord. That’s a key value point. The view isn’t something you only see on a roadside turnout, you get it in the middle of the farm experience.

Kids get something extra

The tour includes special surprises for children. Even when you are traveling as adults, this usually means the pacing stays kid-friendly and the guide looks for ways to keep attention on the animals and farm routines.

Stop 2: Vikøyri and getting your bearings over the village

The second stop is about helping you understand where Vik fits into the fjord world. From the farm, you get a good overview of Vik centre, including Vikøyri, the administrative center of the municipality of Vik.

Here are the geographic anchors that make this view useful, not just pretty. Vikøyri sits at the mouth of the Vikja river on the south shore of the Sognefjorden. It’s also positioned roughly near the midpoint of Norway’s longest fjord, which is helpful if you plan to connect this area to other fjord stops later.

I like this kind of “orientation by views” moment. You step out of the farm, look down at the village, and suddenly your bearings click. The farm becomes a reference point for the rest of your day.

Stop 3 idea: glimpses of Hove Stone Church, dated around 1170

The tour includes glimpses of Hove Stone Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Norway, dated to around 1170. Even seeing it from a distance can be meaningful because it adds a time layer to a visit that is otherwise focused on animals and daily work.

If you’re curious, you can go further after the tour. And if transport is arranged on your end, the listed option is to be dropped off at the church instead of going back to the tourist information area.

This works especially well if you like simple itineraries: one short guided farm walk, then a self-paced look at history without hunting for directions.

Price and value: why $32.26 can feel like a fair deal in Vik

At $32.26 per person, the price is competitive for a short guided visit that includes admission. You also get the benefits that add real value on a farm tour: access to farm areas, time with animals, and a guide who explains the connect-the-dots parts of farming.

You’re not just paying for animal time. You’re paying for the context, including:

• the grass-to-feed explanation
• the organic garden tasting
• barn and stable access
• a view orientation toward Vik and the fjord

That is why this tends to work well even if you’ve already seen other farms. It feels like one compact story with multiple chapters.

Picnic basket costs (optional)

If you want to make it more of a meal day, the picnic basket is optional. It’s listed at 149 NOK for adults and 89 NOK for children.

That add-on can be worth it if you want lunch with fjord views and orchard seating. If you’re already bringing snacks, you might skip it and save money for another activity in the region.

Timing and demand

This experience is often booked about 53 days in advance on average. That doesn’t mean you must rush, but it does suggest planning ahead if you want a specific time slot, especially during peak travel weeks.

Practical tips for your visit (so the weather and farm shoes don’t ruin your day)

This tour requires good weather. If the day turns rainy or unsafe, you’ll likely be offered another date or a refund, but it’s still smart to build flexibility into your schedule.

Here’s what you can do to show up comfortable:

• Wear closed-toe shoes with grip, since farm ground can be uneven.
• Bring layers. Even in fair weather, conditions on farms can change quickly.
• If you plan to picnic, think about extra waterproofing for food and bags.

Also, consider your comfort level around animals. Farm visits are calmer than many city attractions, but they’re still working spaces, so keep an eye on where the guide asks you to stand and how close you’re encouraged to get.

Who should book Steim Farm, and who might skip it

This is a strong fit if you:

• love animals and want real interaction like feeding alpacas and seeing ducks up close
• want a short, guided experience in Vik that does not swallow an entire day
• travel with kids, since the tour explicitly includes surprises and keeps the experience family-friendly
• are making a first trip to Norway and want a grounded taste of rural life

It may be less ideal if you want:

• a long hike
• an indoor, rain-proof museum style experience
• a food-only tasting tour (the focus is the farm, not a restaurant meal)

If you want a simple, memorable stop that mixes animals, farming, and fjord views in about 70 minutes, this one hits that target.

Final call: should you book Steim Farm in Vik?

I’d book it if you want something genuinely local and not overly complicated. The small group size, the working farm focus, and the chance to see multiple animals in one visit make it feel like a good value for the time.

If your schedule is tight, this also works because it’s compact, starts and ends at the same meeting point, and includes the kind of view orientation that helps you enjoy the rest of Vik with better context.

Just keep one practical rule: check the weather, and be ready to shift your day if needed.

FAQ

How long is the Steim Farm experience?

It lasts about 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.).

What is included in the price?

You get a guided farm visit, and admission is included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 8 travelers.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is Stadheimsvegen 70, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway.

Is a picnic basket available?

Yes. A picnic basket is optional, priced at 149 NOK per adult and 89 NOK per child.

Can I see Hove Stone Church during the experience?

You can get a glimpse of it from the farm. Transport is also possible to be dropped off by the church instead of at the tourist information, if you want.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.