The German capital is a city buzzing with creative energy, forward-looking but still marked by the signs of a tumultuous past, whether as political centre of the Third Reich or as a divided territory during the Cold War. The city has exclusive shopping streets, trendy alternative districts, smart restaurants, cosy pubs and cafés, world-class museums and a cultural life that offers something for everyone. Music lovers can take their pick of two major symphony halls (Philharmonie and Konzerthaus) and three opera houses (Deutsche Oper, Staatsoper and Komische Oper) as well as a host of less conventional venues. The excellent Museum Card gives access to almost all the city’s significant collections, including those on the famous Museum Island.