Emerald green hills drop away to a coast of white sands and the clear waters give this stretch of shoreline the colourful nickname of the Turquoise Coast - also known as the Turkish Riviera.

The jewels of the Turquoise Coast, which in this region stretches from party town Marmaris to the ancient wonders of Patara, are evident in every direction.

From the iconic white sandy beach and lush green cliffs of Olu Deniz, to the narrow spit of sand that is Iztuzu beach; it is as crystal clear as the waters here that this part of Turkey has some of the finest beaches in the Mediterranean.
  
Yachtsmen will love harbour town Gocek, while underwater explorers will be fascinated by the sunken city off the uninhabited island of Kekova. And there are charms aplenty (plus restaurants, bars and accommodation) to be found in the town and village resorts of Gokova, Atakoy, Turunc, Icmeler, Dalyan, Ovacik, Kalkan, Kas, Fethiye and Calis. Hisaronu is the resort where nightlife and history sit side by side like two friends at the beach.

Other wonders to see in this region include the Lycian cliff face tombs around the town of Dalyan - seen only from the Dalyan River, and the hot springs and travertine mineral terraces of Pamukkale. 

Dalaman Airport (DLM) is the gateway to the treasures of this mountainous sweep of coast, and flights to Dalaman can have you here in approximately four hours.

The months of July to September see the highest temperatures and the highest prices for Dalaman flights. If you travel in spring or autumn you are more likely to find a cheap flight.

Easyjet has summer schedule flights from Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester, Gatwick and Stansted, and Monarch flies in from Manchester, East Midlands, Birmingham, Leeds Bradford, Gatwick and Luton. Pegasus flies in from Stansted. There also many charter services from Thomson and Thomas Cook from early spring until late November.

During the winter months, to reach Dalaman, you are best flying into Istanbul or one of several German cities and connecting to an onwards flight to the city.

If you book ahead and use a price-comparison site you could bag yourself a bargain. Whatever time of year you decide to visit Dalaman and the Turquoise Coast. TravelSupermarket's price-comparison service could help you to save. So search for your flights today. 

Holidaymakers can pre-book transfers from the airport to their resort. If you are travelling as a group this is strongly advised to avoid delays and queuing for buses or taxis.

A public bus transfer is available, but expect to queue and have the local currency ready to pay for your tickets and fares.

Taxis are available on arrival and car hire is another option to consider, as it can offer more freedom once you've reached your holiday hotel, villa or apartment.

There are indeed a lot of options in the Dalaman region in Turkey, so be sure to tailor where you stay to your individual needs and budget.

Families often love the sandy beaches along the famous 'Turquoise Coast'. If a beautiful beach is high on your wish list, stay in Olu Deniz where there is a good standard of hotels - many of which are four-star. The red-roofed town itself has lots of shops, bars and restaurants, so keeping everyone occupied and within walking distance of the sea is guaranteed.

For couples looking for somewhere quieter and with more of a traditional feel, head west along the coast to the village of Sarigerme. One of Turkey's best-kept secrets, it's home to a quiet beach, a clutch of traditional restaurants and very good value accommodation.

For more of a buzz and plenty of larger hotels, Marmaris - one of Turkey's biggest and most popular resorts - is a hot spot and the centre-point for Dalaman's hub of bars and clubs.

Budget travellers could head to Dalyan, Datça or Bozburun where old-fashioned Turkey can be found and family-run B&Bs are a good, cheap option.

Wherever you end up staying, be sure to check out a great deal for your flight before you go and use our price comparison tool.