It is a common Czech geographical name for places founded at the confluence of a small stream with a river.

The town is situated on the left bank of the Vltava River, in its meander.

[3] From 1870 to 1952, a globe manufacturing industry founded by Jan Felkl was located in Roztoky.

[7] Levý Hradec is a locality in Roztoky with remains of a Slavic gord founded by the Přemyslid dynasty.

In the 980s, Duke Bořivoj I had the first Christian church in Bohemia built here, dedicated to Saint Clement.