Vals is located 26 km southeast of Innsbruck in an incorporated valley with the same name (Valsertal), which branches off from the eastern side of Wipptal at Stafflach, is joined by the Schmirntal at Sankt Jodok, whose southern part also belongs to the municipality of Vals, and borders to Italy at its south end.

The region was once used by Roman farmers as a pasture, and the first documented mention dates back to 1313, under the name "Valles" derived from the Latin "Vallis".

In 1809 the entire Wipptal and some adjacent valleys were the scene of the Battle of Bergisel between the Tyrolese against the Kingdom of Bavaria and the First French Empire.

[3] In 1941 the entire valley was declared a nature reserve and despite this, in May 1942 during the Second World War, under the saddle Alpeiner at 2950 m., a tunnel system was bored for the extraction of molybdenum.

[4] The emblem of Vals consists of a red shield with a black V on the top including a golden crown, which is referred to as that of St. Jodok.