Valencia was founded by Captain Alonso Díaz Moreno on March 25, 1555 — as the locals are proud of reminding visitors, eight years before Caracas.

In 1677 it was raided by French pirates, who burnt down its City Hall, thus destroying many very important documents about the early settlement of Venezuela.

On June 24, 1821, the Battle of Carabobo was fought on the outskirts of the city, sealing the Independence of Venezuela from imperial Spanish rule.

In May 2007, many universities in Venezuela, including within Valencia, held demonstrations protesting the non-renewal of the broadcast license of Venezuelan Television station, Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV).

The municipality is divided into nine parishes: The city is well connected with the rest of the country by a network of highways and roads well maintained by INVIAL.