It is the capital of the province of Vibo Valentia, and is an agricultural, commercial and tourist center (the most famous places nearby are Tropea, Ricadi and Pizzo).

It was founded, probably around the late 7th century BC, by inhabitants of Locri, a principal city of the region on the Ionian Sea.

The massive city wall of 7 km circumference, a length of which can still be seen today, enclosed an area over the hill and down to the port.

Diodorus Siculus reports that the city was taken in 388 BC by Dionysius the Elder tyrant of Syracuse, who deported all the population.

In 1070, the Normans built a castle at the site of the old Acropolis and in 1235 a new city was established by Frederick II, Holy Roman emperor and king of Sicily, with the name of Monteleone.