As of 30 September 2017, it had a population of 6,615 and an area of 15.9 square kilometres (6.1 sq mi).

The Roman theater of Marina di Gioiosa Jonica is located about 12km north of the archaeological park of ancient Locri and dates to the 3rd-4th century AD and most likely belonged to a villa or a statio from the imperial age.

[3] The typical theatre structures such as the auditorium, the orchestra and the stage are clearly identifiable.

The cavea, in particular, not built as in Greek times on a natural slope but on flat ground, is made up of a series of concentric walls which, in ancient times, must have been covered in stone slabs on which around 1200 spectators sat.

In the vicinity excavations discovered rooms belonging to thermal baths from the imperial age, and suggest the existence of further structures from the Roman era in the area.