Muğla is the stretch of Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coast that people call the Turquoise Coast, and once you're here it's obvious why. Pine-backed cliffs drop into water clear enough to see the sea floor metres down, and the coastline folds into dozens of bays and harbours, from Bodrum's whitewashed streets and yacht-lined marina to Fethiye's mountain-ringed lagoon and Dalyan's slow brown river winding past reed beds to the sea. It's a big province, so no two towns here feel the same.

You'll find everything from big all-inclusive resorts with a private beach to small family-run guesthouses tucked behind a marina. Pick a base first. Muğla's towns are spread along a long, winding coastline, and getting between them by road takes longer than the map suggests.

Where to stay in Muğla

• Bodrum. The coast's biggest drawcard, whitewashed streets by day and beach clubs thumping into the night. Good if you want nightlife and a proper marina scene within walking distance.
• Marmaris. A lively marina town and the usual starting point for a gulet cruise along the coast. Suits travellers who want resort comforts with easy access to boat trips.
• Fethiye and Ölüdeniz. Home to the lagoon everyone's seen in photos, with paragliders drifting down over the beach most afternoons. Best for a mellow base with one genuinely famous view on your doorstep.
• Dalyan. A slow river town away from the crowds, known for its mineral mud baths and boat trips out to Turtle Beach. Good for a quieter, more local stay.
• Göcek. A small, upmarket yachting village tucked into a bay near Dalaman, popular with the sailing crowd. Suits travellers after something quieter and more polished.
• Datça. Out on the far end of the peninsula, laid-back and far less built-up than Bodrum. Good if you want beach time without the crowds.

How much is Muğla accommodation?

A night in Muğla runs from around AU$33 for a basic guesthouse bed up to AU$1,000-plus for a private-beach resort in Bodrum, with plenty of good options in between.

• Backpackers and hostels. From AU$33 per night. A dorm bed or basic private room, usually a short walk from the beach in Bodrum or Ölüdeniz.
• Budget hotels and guesthouses. From AU$60 per night. Simple, clean rooms, often family-run, with breakfast included and a fan or basic air conditioning.
• Mid-range hotels and apartments. From AU$110 per night. A pool, air conditioning and usually a short walk or dolmuş ride to the water. Good value for a family or a group.
• Boutique hotels. From AU$220 per night. Smaller properties with more personality, often with sea views or a rooftop terrace, around Bodrum's old town or along the Fethiye coast.
• Luxury resorts. From AU$450 per night, climbing well past AU$1,000 at the top end. Private beaches, full-service spas and multiple restaurants, concentrated around Bodrum's Bitez, Gölköy and Kaplankaya coastline.

Prices climb hard in July and August, so book ahead if you're travelling in peak summer. May, June and September tend to be noticeably cheaper, and the water's still warm enough to swim.

Top-rated hotels in Muğla

• Six Senses Kaplankaya. A wellness retreat spread across three private bays north of Bodrum, built around a 10,000-square-metre spa with its own hydrothermal pools.
• Mandarin Oriental Bodrum. Set on its own stretch of Paradise Bay, with two private beaches and 150 acres of pine-covered hillside to wander.
• The Bodrum EDITION. A beachfront boutique stay close to Yalıkavak Marina, popular with travellers who want design-led rooms and easy access to the marina's restaurants.
• D Maris Bay. A large all-suite resort on its own peninsula near Marmaris, with several private coves and a kids' club that makes it an easy pick for families.
• D-Resort Göcek. A marina-front resort in Göcek built for the yachting crowd, with direct access to the harbour where the gulet cruises set off.

Tips for finding the perfect accommodation in Muğla

• Decide on a town before you search. Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye and Dalyan are all in Muğla, but they're an hour or more apart by road, so a hotel "in Muğla" can mean a very different holiday depending on which one you pick.
• Filter for a beach that suits your plans. A private-beach resort is worth paying for around Bodrum and Marmaris, but Ölüdeniz's Blue Lagoon and Dalyan's Turtle Beach are both public and easy to reach by dolmuş or boat, so you don't need beachfront to get there.
• Planning a gulet cruise? Book a hotel near the Bodrum or Marmaris marina the night before, since most boats leave early and hauling luggage across town at 7am isn't fun.
• Check whether breakfast and an airport transfer are included. Dalaman Airport serves Fethiye, Dalyan and Göcek, while Milas-Bodrum Airport serves Bodrum and Marmaris, and transfer times vary a lot between the two.
• Travel in shoulder season, May, June or September, for lower rates and a quieter Blue Lagoon without losing the warm water.

Once you've picked a base, it's worth locking in flights into Dalaman or Milas-Bodrum and any activities you want to do, like a gulet day trip or a Dalyan river tour, since the popular ones fill up fast over summer.