The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging the town of Smiltene with the rural parishes of Bilska, Blome, Branti, Grundzāle, Launkalne, Palsmane, Smiltene and Variņi.

Smiltene Municipality is located in the northern part of the Vidzeme Highland[4] on the banks of the river Abuls (Abula).

[5] The largest (10 ha) and most popular is Lake Teperis [lv] just east of the town.

[7] After the Great Northern War in 1721, the region came under the control of the Russian Empire and became part of the Valka county of the Livonia Governorate.

Smiltene is twinned with:[10] The coat of arms and the flag used until the 2021 administrative reform were abolished after the changes in the boundaries of the municipality, with new sketches presented for an online vote in August 2022.