Book a Flight to London from €44

British Museum: One of the most important museums in the world houses exhibits from the entire planet, including the "Parthenon Marbles" near and dear to Greece's heart. Masterpieces and collections from civilisations through the ages and continents highlight the history of the world's peoples. Address: Great Russell Str., Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7323 8000, www.britishmuseum.org

Tower of London: The city's landmark monument, the Tower of London stands majestically on the North Bank of the River Thames. Since it was first built in 1078 by William II as a royal residence, a long line of English monarchs have slept and dined, and even executed their opponents there. Nowadays, the well-maintained London fortress, aside from its impenetrable walls and interior gardens, is also a showcase for the Crown Jewels. Address: Tower Hill, Tel.: +44 (0) 870 756 6060, www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon

Big Ben: Τhe most famous clock in the world and London's trademark. It is located on the West Bank of the Thames, near Tower Bridge.

Buckingham Palace: The official residence of Britain's royal family. It is worth visiting on Sunday mornings to see the changing of the guard.

London Eye: This giant Ferris wheel, which has become famous throughout the world, was erected on the South Bank of the Thames and has afforded more than 21 million visitors a heart-stopping panoramic view of the capital. You must book a ticket to get on. Address: Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Rd., Tel.: +44 (0) 870 990 8883, www.londoneye.com

Tate Modern Gallery: Housed in the old Bankside Power Station on the South Bank of the Thames, it is the heart of modern art in England, featuring masterpieces from the international contemporary art scene. With free admission, you can admire works by masters like Matisse, Picasso, Dali, Rothko and Pollock. Address: Bankside, London SE1 9T, Tel.: +44 (0) 207887 8888, www.tate.org.uk

Trafalgar Square/National Gallery: This landmark square was created to commemorate the British naval victory over France and Spain. Aside from the impressive fountain, Trafalgar Square is noted for Nelson's Column, which commemorates the British admiral who died in the Battle of Trafalgar and is guarded by four marble lions. The National Gallery, housing masterpieces from the 13th through the 20th centuries created by great European masters such as Da Vinci, Giotto, Van Eyck, Michelangelo, Canaletto, Rembrandt and Raphael, dominates the north side of the square. Address: Trafalgar Square, Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7747 2885, www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Westminster Abbey: The site of coronations and burials of British monarchs, this awe-inspiring UNESCO World Heritage Site has stood behind the Houses of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster since 1245. The Gothic church built by Henry III is architecturally breathtaking, while it is also impressive because of the unbelievable plethora of monuments and art works housed there. You can see the awe-inspiring monuments and tombstones of famous figures like Newton, Darwin, Handel, Chaucer and Dickens.

St Paul's Cathedral: Known around the world as the place where the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana took place, it is the only Baroque church in England with a dome - one of the largest in the world, rising in white splendour in the heart of the City. Make the effort to climb to the two outer galleries of the dome. The view from there is magnificent.

Palace of Westminster: The city's emblem and perhaps the most recognisable Parliament in the world, the Palace of Westminster, better known as the British Houses of Parliament, is an impressive Victorian neo-Baroque 19^th century palace. Though its current form is relatively new, it stands on the ruins of the palace that was destroyed by fire and had been the seat of the government since the 14^th century. It is open to visitors on Saturdays and during the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.

The Parks: London is one of the greenest capital cities in Europe. Led by the best-known Hyde Park, where you can stroll around or go horse-riding, a number of others like Green Park, St James Park, Battersea Park and Alexandra Palace Park offer you the chance to lose yourself in the forests and along their paths and enjoy nature in all its glory - right in the heart of this European metropolis.

A global centre for fashion and commerce, London is an exciting marketplace. Most shoppers gravitate to the triangle formed by Oxford Street, Regent Street and Old Bond Street. Oxford Street, particularly the section between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, is full of department stores, while Old Bond Street, with the impressive architecture of its buildings, is the address of the famous fashion houses. You will also find smaller, chic boutiques in Chelsea. You can also visit the alternative Dover Street Market, created in 2004 as a unique combination art gallery and department store, and make sure to stock up on English tea at Fortnum & Mason (181 Piccadilly, www.fortnumandmason.com), the Queen's official tea supplier for the last 150 years. Another "must" is a visit to the stores of English designers Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, famous Harrods and Benjamin Pollock's Toyshop, the tiny shop with vintage toys in the heart of Covent Garden. Last but not least, London has amazing outdoor markets, from Camden to Portobello Road and Greenwich, where you can browse through antiques, clothing and even fresh produce.

London has rightly been dubbed the "gastronomic capital of Europe", as it offers countless options for every taste and budget. From the Michelin star-earning restaurants in Chelsea and the atmospheric bar-restaurants in Soho to the Chinese establishments in Chinatown and Lebanese places on Edgware Road. London's nightlife is inexhaustible and offers something for everyone: theatre featuring Hollywood stars in the West End, opera and ballet at Covent Garden, trendy bars in Soho and Hoxton, alternative hangouts in Shoreditch and Brixton, high-end clubs in Leicester Square and Piccadilly Circus, and live venues in Camden Town.

• City of London Festival: London is flooded by excellent classical music and jazz performances each June and July with a series of events of global stature. Concerts are held at various locations in the city, including St Paul's Cathedral, Guildhall Yard, Liverpool Street Station and Finsbury Circus Gardens.
• Film Festival: One of the most significant events of its kind, London's film festival gathers together more than 300 films and documentaries from all over the world each October. The festival features more mainstream events, along with the newer work of alternative film-makers and parallel events like forums, workshops, master classes and others.
• Notting Hill Carnival: A colourful event that takes place every August in the streets of Notting Hill and is one of the largest street festivals worldwide.
• London Fashion Week: One of the most significant fashion centres in the world, London devotes two weeks a year to fashion: one in autumn during which designers present their winter collections and one in spring for summer collections. The glamorous catwalks that light up life in London and the parade of famous personalities complete the variety of events and shows that take place as part of Fashion Week to the delight of hard-core fashionistas and many others.

Transport from the airport

Aegean Airlines lands at two airports in London: Heathrow and Gatwick. Both airports feature a variety of retail shops and restaurants, banks, foreign exchange points and a post office (only at Heathrow). Note that Wi-Fi is free for the duration of your stay at Heathrow and 90 minutes at Gatwick.

Heathrow Airport is 32 km from the city centre. The easiest and quickest way to reach the city is via the Heathrow Express train that takes you into Paddington Station or by underground via the Piccadilly Line. Gatwick Airport is 30 km from the city centre. The easiest and quickest way to reach the city is via Gatwick Express train that takes you into Victoria station or by train via East Croydon and Clapham Junction. Taxis are also an option, but they are quite expensive.