Bodrum is a port city in Muğla Province, Turkey’s southern Aegean Region. It is situated on the southern shore of the Bodrum Peninsula, at a position that controls the entrance into the Gulf of Gokova, and serves as the administrative headquarters for the namesake district.
In ancient times, the city was known as Halicarnassus of Caria and was notable for holding the Mausoleum of Mausolus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Bodrum Castle, constructed by the Knights Hospitaller in the 15th century, overlooks the bay and marina.
The castle has an underwater archaeological museum and holds various cultural festivals through the year. In 2012, Bodrum had a population of 36,317 people. It takes 50 minutes by boat from Bodrum to Kos, with at least three companies operating many times a day.
