Victoria and Albert Museum

The V&A houses an astonishing collection that jumps between centuries and continents without warning-you'll find a 16th-century bed next to contemporary fashion, then stumble into rooms of Islamic ceramics or Japanese swords. The Cast Courts alone justify the visit: towering plaster casts of Michelangelo's David and Trajan's Column that Victorian collectors commissioned when they couldn't acquire the originals.

The museum's layout is genuinely confusing-even the staff carry maps. You'll get lost, but that's part of the experience. The Fashion Gallery draws crowds, while the Medieval & Renaissance galleries stay surprisingly quiet despite housing treasures like the Becket Casket. The building itself tells London's story through its architecture, from the original 1850s sections to the controversial 2017 Exhibition Road entrance.

Three hours barely scratches the surface, so pick themes rather than trying to see everything. The jewelry gallery gets packed after 2pm, and the temporary exhibitions (which do charge) often overshadow the free permanent collection. Level 6 stays nearly empty despite having some of the best pieces. Download their app-the paper maps are useless for navigation.