Feria de las Flores, Colombia

Feria de las Flores is Medellín’s Flower Festival, which takes place in August and celebrates Colombia’s flower industry. Did you know that 70% of flowers for sale in the US are imported from Colombia? The country’s ideal climate, with consistent and mild temperatures in its farming areas, makes it a perfect hub for cultivating delicate blooms. Positioned near the equator, Colombia enjoys approximately 12 hours of light per day throughout the year, allowing flowers to thrive in all seasons.

In this guide to Medellín’s Feria de las Flores, I’ll share the history of the flower festival in Colombia. I’ll also show you how to visit Medellín’s local flower fields for a unique and authentic travel experience!

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

Feria de las Flores History

Every year the city of Medellín celebrates its Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores) in August. The first festival took place in 1957 to honor Colombia’s growing flower industry. Today the festival has evolved into a 10 day extravaganza featuring over 140 music and cultural events, including lively parties and concerts. The entire city, from the shopping malls to the botanical gardens, is decorated in honor of the festivities.

The grand finale of Feria de las Flores is the flower parade, where local flower growers, known as silleteros, march through town with intricate flower designs called silletas mounted on their backs. These wooden-framed structures weigh up to 154 pounds (70 kg) and measure up to 16 feet (5 m) in diameter.

The term “silleta” comes from “silla,” meaning chair. In colonial times these structures were used to transport produce and wealthy individuals through the Andes mountains. The silleteros primarily hail from Santa Elena and Envigado, districts in the hills above Medellín that are home to the majority of the region’s flower growers.

My Visit to Medellín’s Flower Farms

On my final day in Medellín I ventured to the misty hills of Envigado, at the recommendation of several locals I’d met. During Feria de las Flores, several farms open their doors to visitors during a special event called “Ruta Silletera de Envigado.” I set off from the Envigado metro station, joined by a new friend. We had to ask locals which bus to take since information on how to get to the event was somewhat vague. 

Upon arriving at the entrance station, we bought our tickets and burst out laughing when the security guard handed each group an enormous 1 L bottle of hand sanitizer. We then boarded a shuttle bus that would take us between the farms. The atmosphere in the bus was lively, many passengers with drinks in hand.

Envigado Flower Farms

Once at the farms, we explored some of the flower fields. However, we quickly realized that the main attraction seemed to be relaxing in the rustic kitchen area with local food and beer. We took a break to try some fresh empanadas, and I was happy to see that all of the other visitors were local tourists.

At the farms, we saw some silletas in progress and chatted with one of the farmers. He told us that they would hold off on preparing the silletas until the last minute. They would work overnight to ensure the flowers stayed fresh for the parade, assisted by a team of volunteers.

Heading back into the city, we opted for a taxi. Our driver was engrossed in an animated video chat with his friend, who was driving a forklift in a warehouse. We laughed about the fact that they were both chatting while working. My day had been full of entertaining Colombian public transportation, and that night I had one more bus to take – an overnight journey to my next destination, Salento.

Feria de las Flores Trip Planning Information

How to Visit the Feria de las Flores Flower Farms

Envigado Farms

I personally visited the flower farms in the Envigado district. I was able to visit without a car thanks to an event offering shuttle buses to transport visitors to the farms. You can find this event by searching for “Ruta Silletera de Envigado”. You’ll likely have to take the metro to the Envigado station, then ask locals about the bus leading to the hills near the flower farms. From there, an organized shuttle takes visitors to the farms. 

In total, the trip from your accommodation in Medellín to the Envigado farms could take up to an hour. Once at the farms, you may be able to walk between some of them or take the shuttle bus. If you choose to drive to the Envigado flower farms, beware of heavy traffic and potential one-way driving restrictions.

Santa Elena Farms

The Santa Elena flower farms are next to the Envigado district. Many of the farms (“Fincas”) in Santa Elena partake in festival activities, but they are not reachable by public transportation. If you have a car, this would be a nice place to visit. Search for “Finca Silletera” in the Santa Elena district to find farms to visit. When visiting by car, beware of heavy traffic and potential one-way driving restrictions.

Feria de las Flores Tours

Although it’s completely possible to visit the flower farms on your own, in some cases a guided tour experience may be more convenient because it handles the transportation for you.

Things to Do at the Flower Farms

When visiting Medellín’s flower farms, you should walk through the flower fields and try homemade food offered by the on-site restaurants. Many of the farms will have special decorations on display for the festivities, and you might see some silletas in preparation. If you get the chance, chat with one of the farmers to learn more about the farm’s history. 

Beyond the flower farms, be sure to check out other festivities in the city. You’ll find a variety of music and cultural events, as well as the Feria de las Flores parade. Stay updated on these events by checking the official event website and social media accounts.

How Long to Stay

You can easily visit the flower farms in a half day or full day trip from Medellín.

Medellín Flower Festival Dates and Weather

Medellín’s Feria de las Flores is celebrated every August, and festivities last for over a week. When planning a visit to the flower farms, check on which dates the farms are open to visitors. During the festival, some farms may stay open late (midnight), so don’t stress too much about your arrival time!

The weather near the flower farms is warm during the day and cool at night. The Flower Festival is held in August, which is near the start of the rainy season.

Where to Stay during Feria de las Flores

You can easily visit the flower farms as a day trip from Medellín. See my Medellín guide for recommendations on places to stay in the city.

Where to Eat

You can purchase food and drinks for affordable prices at all of the flower farms. I encourage you to try the homemade local specialties!

Safety at the Feria de las Flores Flower Farms

The flower farms are very safe to visit and popular with local tourists. Check out my Colombia safety guide for more tips, and make sure you have travel insurance.

Budget and Money

When visiting the flower farms, bring sufficient cash for food and drinks, as well as for bus fare and entrance to the event. There are no ATMs in the farm area and many vendors only accept cash.

What to Bring to Medellín’s Flower Farms

For a full list of what to bring, refer to my Colombia packing list. I would stress the following:

• Downloaded maps of Medellín (use Google Maps or MapsME)
• Rain jacket (Women’s, Men’s)
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito spray
• Walking shoes. Don’t wear white sneakers. Mine quickly turned brown from walking along the dusty farm paths.

Where to Go Next

• Check out more things to do in Medellín
• For more Medellín nature experiences, check out Parque Arví or the botanical gardens. 
• If you’re visiting the flower farms in Santa Elena, check out La Cascada Santa Elena waterfall. It’s a hidden gem in the Medellín area!

Thanks for reading! I hope this travel guide to Feria de las Flores and Medellín’s flower farms was helpful. When traveling, do you seek unique local experiences, or do you lean towards visiting popular tourist attractions?  Let me know in the comments.

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