Steim Farm Experience in Vik, Norway

Steim Farm gives you something many fjord excursions miss: a close look at everyday life in a small Norwegian community. You walk through a working farm, not a staged animal park, meeting alpacas, ducks, goats, sheep, and a Norwegian Fjord horse while looking down over Vik and the Sognefjord.

I especially like the chance to taste strawberries from the organic garden and the small group limit of eight people. Guides such as Gaute and Elin add a personal touch, sharing farm stories and introducing the animals. The main consideration is weather. The farm depends on good conditions, and the walk is outdoors with uneven ground and animal areas.

Steim Farm at a glance

• A real working farm: You see fields, feed production, gardens, barns, stables, and pastures used as part of daily farm life.
• Hand-feeding alpacas and ducks: Animal contact is a central part of the visit, with opportunities to feed and spend quiet time near them.
• Wide views from above Vik: The farm overlooks Vik village, the Vikja river area, and the Sognefjord.
• A small, personal group: The maximum of eight people makes it easier to ask questions and keep the visit relaxed.
• A family-friendly stop: Children may meet young animals, pick berries when available, and receive a small surprise.
• Optional orchard picnic: A picnic basket costs 149 NOK for adults and 89 NOK for children.

Why this farm visit feels different

The appeal of Steim Farm is its ordinary, lived-in character. You are not simply looking at animals behind a fence. You are walking through a farm that produces feed, grows vegetables, keeps livestock, and continues to function as a home and workplace.

That distinction matters. A short farm visit can feel thin if it consists only of a quick animal encounter. At Steim, the guide connects the animals to the work of the farm. You learn how grass becomes animal feed, see the fields, visit the garden, and enter the barn and stables. The result is a clearer picture of rural life in western Norway.

I also like the scale. With no more than eight people, the guide can answer questions without turning the visit into a formal lecture. You have a better chance of hearing the farm stories, seeing the animals properly, and letting children pause when something catches their attention.

Gaute has guided visitors around the farm and is described as quick with funny stories about the area and farm life. Elin has also led visits, including pickups from the cruise ship dock and the tourist information area. Christina is part of the Steim team as well. The exact guide depends on the day, but you can expect a personal introduction rather than a scripted presentation.

Walking through the fields and garden

The visit begins with a walk around Steim Farm and an explanation of how the property works. The guide discusses farm life in the past and today, then points out the fields and the process of turning green grass into feed for the animals.

This is one of the more useful parts of the experience. The fjord scenery may be what first catches your eye, but the farm explanation gives the setting some meaning. You see the work behind the view: fields need tending, animals need feeding, and the farm has to make practical use of its land.

The organic vegetable garden adds a pleasant change of pace. Depending on the season, you may taste strawberries grown there. Berry season also brings raspberries, according to the farm information, though availability will depend on timing. Do not book this expecting a full produce tasting. The garden is a small part of the visit, but it gives you a direct connection to what grows in the local climate.

The farm sits above Vik, so the views are a major part of the experience. From the property, you can look across the village and toward the fjord. On a sunny day, the setting can be spectacular. On a cloudy or wet day, the visit becomes more about the farm itself, which is why I would treat the views as a bonus rather than the only reason to go.

Meeting the alpacas, ducks, goats, and sheep

The animal encounters are the heart of the visit, especially for families. You visit the barn and animal stables, where ducks may sometimes be nesting. The alpacas and ducks are usually the most accessible animals, while goats graze in pastures above the farm.

You may be able to feed alpacas by hand. Young alpacas have been part of the farm experience, and children may find them especially engaging. One young alpaca was known for nibbling at a visitor’s shirt and buttons, so keep loose clothing and fingers in mind when you get close. That is a charming moment, but animals do not always behave on cue.

You can also feed the ducks and spend time near them. Ducks are less predictable than alpacas, so the guide’s instructions matter. The visit is not a petting zoo with constant handling. It is an opportunity to meet farm animals in their own working setting, with the guide helping you approach them properly.

The Norwegian Fjord horse and traditional long-wooled sheep can often be seen from the farm. The wording is important: you may see them at a distance rather than handle them. Goats are also typically in the pastures above the farm, so the full animal lineup is not guaranteed at close range.

That uncertainty is part of the charm, but it is also a practical point. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter at a fixed time, this is not that kind of attraction. If you like the idea of seeing animals as part of a real farm, it is a better fit.

Vik and the view toward Hove Stone Church

Steim Farm also gives you a useful introduction to Vik. The village, known as Vikøyri, sits at the mouth of the Vikja river on the southern shore of the Sognefjord. From the farm, you get a good overview of the village and its position along one of Norway’s major fjords.

The farm is not a substitute for walking through Vik centre. It gives you the view from above, while the village offers the closer look at the old town and waterfront setting. If you have time before or after the farm visit, pairing the two makes sense.

You may also glimpse Hove Stone Church from the farm. Dating to around 1170, it is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches. The church is not a full stop on the standard farm walk, but transport can be arranged so you are dropped there instead of at the tourist information area. Confirm this when booking, since it is an additional transport arrangement rather than the main guided farm visit.

This option could be helpful if you are visiting Vik on a tight schedule and want to connect the farm with one of the area’s notable historic buildings. Still, do not assume the church visit is included in the roughly 70-minute farm experience.

The optional orchard picnic

You can add a picnic basket for 149 NOK per adult or 89 NOK per child. The picnic is intended for the orchard, where you can eat with views over Vik and the fjord.

I see this as a good add-on for a family or anyone with time to linger. It turns a quick farm visit into a slower countryside stop, and the orchard setting gives you a reason not to rush back to town. If you are visiting between other scheduled activities, however, the extra food may not be worth arranging.

The picnic basket is not included in the base price, and snacks are otherwise your responsibility. Ask for the picnic option when booking if you want it. I would not count on buying food spontaneously during the visit unless the farm confirms that option.

Is $32.26 a fair price?

At $32.26 per person, the experience is reasonably priced for a guided visit of about 70 minutes, particularly if you value small groups and direct contact with a working farm. You are paying for the guide, access to the property, the animal encounters, and the setting above Vik, not for a long coach excursion or a full meal.

The value is strongest for families, cruise passengers, and people interested in local life rather than a quick photo stop. A child who enjoys animals may get more from this hour than from a longer sightseeing drive. Adults who want a deeper cultural visit should appreciate the explanation of fields, feed, gardens, and farm routines.

The price is less compelling if you only want dramatic fjord views. Vik offers scenery in many places, and the farm visit is short. Its value comes from the combination of views, animals, and a personal look at rural work.

The picnic costs extra, and any special transport arrangement also needs to be confirmed. I would compare the total cost with your schedule, especially if you are arriving by cruise ship and have limited time ashore.

Timing, meeting point, and weather

The meeting point is Stadheimsvegen 70, 6893 Vik i Sogn. The activity ends back at the meeting point. Some visits have included pickup near the cruise ship dock or tourist information area, but you should arrange and confirm this rather than assume it is automatic.

The advertised duration is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, while the farm portion is listed as about 1 hour. That leaves little room for a long delay if you have a ship departure, bus connection, or another timed attraction. Give yourself a sensible buffer.

The experience is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed, but this remains an outdoor farm walk with animal areas and natural ground. Ask the provider directly if you have specific mobility needs.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the visit, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not accepted, so keep your plans flexible if the forecast looks uncertain.

Who should book Steim Farm?

I would put this near the top of the list for families with children. The alpacas, ducks, garden, berries, and small surprises give young visitors several things to look forward to. The visit also works well for adults who want a quiet, local experience without committing to a full-day excursion.

It is a good choice for cruise passengers if the pickup and timing are confirmed. The short duration makes it easier to fit into a port day, and the farm provides a different view of Vik than a standard village walk.

You should also consider it if you enjoy photography. The farm offers animals, gardens, buildings, fields, and broad views over Vik and the fjord. Light and weather will shape the experience, so bring outdoor clothing and do not rely on a single perfect viewpoint.

I would be more cautious if you dislike farm smells, outdoor ground, or unpredictable animal behavior. This is not a polished indoor attraction. Ducks may be noisy, alpacas may be curious, and some animals may be farther away than expected.

My recommendation for Steim Farm

You should book Steim Farm if you want a friendly, small-scale visit that links Norwegian farm work with the scenery around Vik. The strongest reasons are the personal guiding, the chance to feed alpacas and ducks, the organic garden, and the view from the orchard.

I especially like that the farm remains an active place rather than a display built only for tourism. The visit gives you a more grounded sense of the area, and the price is fair for a guided hour with a maximum of eight people.

Skip it if your only goal is a long fjord sightseeing tour or a guaranteed schedule of animal encounters. For everyone else, especially families and visitors with a free hour in Vik, Steim Farm is an easy and worthwhile addition.

FAQ

How long does the Steim Farm experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. The farm visit itself is listed as about 1 hour.

What is the price?

The listed price is $32.26 per person. A picnic basket costs 149 NOK per adult and 89 NOK per child.

Where does the experience start and finish?

It starts at Stadheimsvegen 70, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What animals can I see?

You may meet alpacas and ducks, and you may see goats, a Norwegian Fjord horse, and traditional long-wooled sheep. Ducks may also be nesting in the stable.

Can I feed the animals?

Hand-feeding alpacas and ducks is part of the experience when conditions and animal behavior allow it. Follow the guide’s instructions around the animals.

Is transport included?

The guided farm visit is included. Pickup or drop-off arrangements, including possible transport from the cruise ship dock or to Hove Stone Church, should be confirmed with the provider.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.