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Opatija lies near the point where the Mediterranean Sea cuts in most deeply into the European continent. The combination of the Mediterranean and the continental climate, at the foot of the Učka mountain, result in a relatively steady temperature.
Opatija's small harbour, locally known as Portić, was the starting point for the excursion boats of the traditional boatmen who in the local dialect were referred to as barkajoli. Over the years, as the quality of their services improved, their wooden boats, built in small boatyards in the surrounding coastal villages, became more better equipped and more beautiful. Opatija's barkajol was always at the service of his passengers, spoke several foreign languages, and his boat was tidy and neat, with cushions and a small railing for increased comfort during the ride. The barkajoli transported their passengers along the Riviera and sometimes even to nearby islands initially by rowing and later by motorboat. They became a symbol of Opatija's tourism, and their legendary call »Barke fahren« a widely known phrase in local speech and the title of a poem by the great Opatija poet, Drago Gervais. Several generations of barkajoli left an indelible mark on the history of tourism in Opatija, and their role is today continued by excursion boats that offer visitors the chance to discover the Opatija Riviera as viewed from the sea. For this reason, several landing sites for these boats have been labelled with a »Taxi Boat« sign here in the Portić and along the Lungomare coastal promenade.
A steady air current, rich vegetation and no great oscilations in the micro climate result in a delightful ambience and the atmosphere. Being part of Istria, Opatija is the historical crossroads of three cultures: Germanic, Italian and Slavonic.