Steim Farm Experience in Vik, Norway

Steim farm gives you something many fjord excursions skip: a close look at ordinary Norwegian farm life. You walk real fields, see how grass becomes animal feed, taste strawberries from the garden, and meet alpacas and ducks in a setting with roots reaching back to the Viking age. The animals are the main event, but the farm work makes the visit feel grounded and real.

I like the small maximum of eight people, which should make it easier to ask questions and spend time with the animals. I also like the broad view over Vik, plus the chance to spot Hove Stone Church and neighboring farms with traditional sheep and Norwegian fjord horses. The main consideration is the short visit. At about 70 minutes, this is a pleasant farm stop rather than a full afternoon outing, and poor weather can cause cancellation.

Key points to know before you book

• Meet alpacas and Muscovy ducks: You may feed and pet the animals, and lucky timing can bring baby animals.
• See a working farm: Fields, feed production, vegetable growing, stables, and animal care are part of the visit.
• Taste produce from the garden: Strawberries are sometimes available from the organic vegetable garden.
• Enjoy views over Vik: The farm looks toward Vikøyri and the mouth of the Vikja River.
• Small-group setting: The tour accepts a maximum of eight people and lasts about 1 hour 10 minutes.
• Plan for weather: The farm requires good weather, with a new date or full refund offered if conditions cancel the visit.

A real farm above Vik, not a staged animal stop

Steim farm sits near Vik, on the south shore of the Sognefjord. From the property, you can look down toward Vikøyri, the village center at the mouth of the Vikja River. The view gives you a useful sense of place: this is not just an animal attraction placed beside a road, but part of a working rural community.

The farm’s story reaches back to the Viking age, but the visit focuses on daily work rather than a museum-style presentation. You see the fields and hear how the farm moves from green grass to animal feed. That simple explanation matters. It helps you understand the rhythm behind the animals you meet, from growing food to keeping the stables in order.

The farm remains in operation, so you should expect authentic surroundings rather than a polished visitor center. That can mean a little mud, changing animal behavior, and a tour shaped by the season. For me, those are strengths, as long as you want a genuine farm visit instead of a tightly scripted show.

The visit is led by a local guide from Steim. The farm team includes Christina and Gaute, whose warm, personal replies to visitors reflect the welcoming tone you can expect from this family-run experience. The supplied information does not identify which person leads every departure, so I would not book expecting one particular guide.

Walking the fields and following the farm’s daily work

The first part of the visit takes you around Steim farm on foot. Your guide talks about farm life in the past and present while showing you the fields, buildings, and animal areas.

The grass-to-feed process is one of the more useful details here. You are not simply shown a pasture and handed an animal to pet. You get a short look at how the farm produces and manages food for its animals. That makes the visit a better choice for anyone curious about rural Norway, farming methods, or where the animals’ feed comes from.

The organic vegetable garden adds another small but memorable stop. You may taste strawberries grown on the farm, depending on the season and what is ready. One family particularly enjoyed the strawberry season, and another visitor was offered a taste during the visit. Do not treat this as a guaranteed food tasting, but it is a nice bonus when the crop is available.

The tour lasts about an hour at the farm itself, with the overall experience listed at roughly 1 hour 10 minutes. That is enough time for a gentle walk and animal visit without taking over your day in Vik. It also means the guide cannot spend a long time on every part of the property. If you want a detailed farming lesson or a long hike, this will feel brief.

Alpacas, ducks, goats, sheep, and fjord horses

The animals are the part most likely to delight children, but adults with an interest in farm life will enjoy them too. Steim’s alpacas and Muscovy ducks are the animals you should expect to meet directly.

You may be able to feed and pet the alpacas and ducks. A visit in May included two newly born alpacas, which shows how much the experience can change with the season. Baby animals are possible, not promised, so treat them as lucky timing rather than part of the fixed program.

The ducks may be nesting in the stable when you visit. That detail gives the barn a lived-in feel and reminds you that the animals are not arranged only for visitors. Their routines come first.

The boar goats graze in pastures above the farm. They may be visible from the property, but you should not assume you will get the same close contact with them as with the alpacas and ducks. Traditional long-wooled sheep and Norwegian fjord horses live on nearby farms and may also be visible.

This mix of animals gives the visit a nice local flavor. Alpacas attract attention, but the sheep, goats, ducks, and fjord horses connect the farm to older Norwegian agricultural traditions. The farm is not promising a large collection of rare animals. Its appeal lies in seeing a modest working property and meeting the animals that belong there.

Views over Vik and glimpses of Hove Stone Church

The farm’s position gives you a good look over Vikøyri, the picturesque old village center. Vik sits near the middle of the Sognefjord, and the view from Steim helps you understand the village’s location at the river mouth.

This is not a separate sightseeing walk through Vik’s old town. You mainly see the village from the farm, so keep your expectations clear. If you are hoping to explore Vikøyri on foot, allow extra time before or after the activity.

You can also catch a glimpse of Hove Stone Church from the farm. Built around 1170, it is one of Norway’s oldest stone churches. Seeing it from Steim is a useful visual introduction, though it is not the same as visiting the church itself.

Transport can be arranged if you would like to be dropped at Hove Stone Church instead of returning to the tourist information point. The supplied details do not say that an interior church visit is included, so confirm the arrangement when booking if the church is a priority.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is eight people. That is a strong feature for this kind of outing. With animals, a smaller group means less crowding around the stable and a better chance to ask about the farm, the animals, and local life.

The small size should also help families. A family group with four adults, a toddler, and an infant enjoyed feeding animals, walking around the farm, and taking in the views. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Still, this is a farm rather than a fully adapted indoor attraction. The tour includes walking around fields and visiting stables, so you should be comfortable with ordinary farm conditions. The provided information does not give details about wheelchair access, surfaces, or stroller use. If those points matter to you, contact Steim before booking.

The short format works well for a family with young children. You get enough animal time to keep the visit lively, but not so much that a tired toddler has to manage a long program. Babies and toddlers have joined the experience, though every family knows its own limits best.

Price, timing, and what you receive

At $30.31 per person, the price is reasonable if you value personal contact, a small group, and access to a working farm. You are paying for a guided farm visit, not a long excursion with several major attractions. The value comes from the direct animal contact and the setting above Vik.

The experience includes the guided farm visit. Snacks are not included, but an optional picnic basket costs 149 NOK for an adult and 89 NOK for a child. The available information does not list the contents of the basket, so ask for details if food is important to your plans.

The activity is booked an average of 123 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last minute during a busy Norway trip. That advance-booking figure is especially worth noting for families or anyone planning around a cruise or fixed fjord itinerary.

Pickup is offered, and the listed meeting point is Vik Tourist Information at Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn. The activity normally ends back at the meeting point. If you want the church drop-off instead, arrange it in advance.

You receive confirmation when booking, and a mobile ticket is available. Free cancellation applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Later cancellations and changes are not accepted for a refund. Since good weather is required, Steim may cancel in poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund.

Who will get the most from Steim farm

I would choose this for a family that wants an easy, personal activity between fjord sightseeing stops. Young children can feed animals, adults get a taste of local rural life, and the views provide something for everyone.

It also suits couples and solo visitors who prefer local contact to a large coach excursion. The tour is short enough to fit around other plans, and the small group should make conversation easier.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy animals but also want to understand how the farm operates. If you only want a quick photo with an alpaca, the price may feel less compelling. The visit includes fields, feed production, the garden, the barn, and the stables, so its appeal is broader than one animal encounter.

I would be cautious about booking if your day is already packed with weather-sensitive activities. The tour requires good weather, and the farm setting is best appreciated when you can walk around comfortably. I would also avoid promising children that they will see newborn animals, since babies depend on the season.

Practical ways to plan your visit

Meet at Vik Tourist Information unless Steim confirms another pickup arrangement. Since the farm is above the village and the visit includes walking, wear shoes suited to outdoor ground and dress for changing conditions. The supplied information does not specify a dress code, but a working farm is not the place for delicate footwear.

Keep some time around the tour if you want to see more of Vikøyri or visit Hove Stone Church. The farm offers views of both, but the activity itself does not replace a proper village walk or church visit.

If you are hoping for strawberries, baby animals, or a particular animal sighting, ask about current conditions before you go. Farm life changes with the calendar. That uncertainty is part of the charm, but it is also why you should think of the visit as a real working farm experience rather than a guaranteed performance.

Should you book Steim farm?

Book it if you want a short, friendly look at Norwegian farm life with alpacas, ducks, possible goats and sheep, and broad views over Vik. The small group, hands-on animal contact, and chance to taste homegrown strawberries give the visit good value at $30.31.

Skip it if you want a long historical tour, a major church visit, or a full-day excursion. Steim is best as a focused stop for families, animal lovers, and curious visitors who appreciate simple local experiences. Reserve ahead, plan for good weather, and leave room for the farm to surprise you.

FAQ

Where does the Steim farm experience begin?

The meeting point is Vik Tourist Information, Rv13 57, 6893 Vik i Sogn, Norway.

How long does the farm visit last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour 10 minutes. The farm portion is listed as about one hour.

What animals can I see at Steim farm?

You can meet alpacas and Muscovy ducks. You might also see boar goats, traditional long-wooled sheep, and Norwegian fjord horses on nearby farms.

Can I feed or pet the animals?

Visitors may be able to feed and pet the alpacas and ducks. Animal contact can depend on conditions and the animals’ behavior.

Is food included?

No. Snacks are not included. An optional picnic basket is available for 149 NOK per adult and 89 NOK per child.

Can the tour include Hove Stone Church?

You can see a glimpse of Hove Stone Church from the farm. Transport may be arranged to drop you at the church instead of the tourist information point.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If Steim cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.