Vik Cruise Port Events: National Day May 17, Gamalostfestival (Cheese Festival) end of May Cruise Season: All year Average temperatures: (°C): December & January 2, February 1, March 2, April 7, May 10, June 14, July 16, August 15, September 12, October 8, November 5 Usefull links: www.vik.no, http://vikjavev.no, www.sognafoto.no Port information: www.vik.kommune.no
| www.visitnorway.com | Page 32 Vik at the Sognefjord Photo: Darek Hauderowicz
Vik - at the heart of the Sognefjord Situated on the south bank of the “King of Fjords”, Vik is a well known starting point for excursions across beautiful Vikafjellet to Voss and Flåm. The town of Vik offers a variety of attractions within walking distance from the port. Shopping: Fjord silver workshop, Christmas workshop & gallery, Kristar Design Fashion, etc. Cafés & restaurants: TINE Cheese Bar, Hos Naboen, Dampen pub & restaurant. Local excursions by bus or boat take you westwards into breathtaking scenery in Arnafjord or Finnafjord, or eastwards to the World Heritage landscape of Nærøyfjorden. Vik Ski Centre is only a 15-minute drive away from the quay.
Attractions/excursions Over the mountains to Voss and Flåm Distance 120 km. Duration: 6-8 hours by bus. Capacity 20-500 Visit Hopperstad stave church and the breathtaking viewpoint at Storesvingen. Travel across the beautiful Vikafjell mountains and via the amazing waterfall Tvindefossen to Voss. Continue to Flåm by bus, or by train and the Flåm railway. Can also be combined with express boat on return from Flåm to Vik Roundtrip Medieval Vik Distance 35 km. Duration: 3 hours by bus. Capacity 20-140 Visit the imposing statue of the Viking Fridtjov the Bold and get to know the legend about him. Guided tours at Hopperstad stave church and/or Hove Stone Church, both built in the 12th century. From the viewpoint Storevingen you can enjoy a fantastic view of Vik village centre and the Sognefjord.
Fjord Cruise to Finnafjorden Distance 50 km. Duration: 2-3 hours. Capacity 10-60 Fjord cruise to Finnabotn and Finden, two farms with a spectacular location in a narrow side arm to the main fjord. No roads reach into this wonderful inlet where a few families make their living by farming and tourism. Try one of their delicious home made local food specialities! The Silver Ring - Cultural walk Distance 4-5 km. Duration: 2-3 hours on foot . On your own or as a guided tour (capacity 10-30) The walk takes you through a lovely landscape with small rivers and green meadows to many of the cultural attractions in Vik: The historical Shore Dweller Site Vikøyri, the old officer’s farm building Borgstova, Hopperstad stave church from 1130, the burial mounds from 300-500 AD, Hove Stone Church from 1170, Kristianhus Engine & Boat Museum. Notification in advance is necessary for local excursions.
Hove Church Hove Church was built around 1170 as a private chapel, most likely by a man of considerable wealth and power. This small, yet monumental building has a wonderful setting, surrounded by green meadows and farmland. In the 1880s the church was restored and the interior decorated with motifs from medieval and pre-Christian times. The woodcarving, the wrought iron and the wall paintings are of high quality, as well as the beautiful glass mosaics in the chancel windows. During the summer season there are organ concerts in the church. Vikøyri – the historical shore dweller site Vikøyri is the name of a densely built area by the fjord with characteristic tiny wooden houses. The first settlers were impecunious farm labourers or maidservants who leased small plots of land, keeping a few sheep in the cellar and fishing in the fjord. Many of these so called shore dwellers later became tradesmen or craftsmen. The development of the shore dweller site started in the first half of the 17th century. In 1900, 464 people lived here. Today, approximately half the remaining, nicely refurbished houses still serve as permanent