Doha Photo Gallery - Lusail Waterfront

Easily reachable by metro and the tram, Lusail is 20km north of Doha and is a newly-built planned city with many architectural landmarks and a beautiful waterfront promenade. However, be mindful that the tram that goes through the district does not start running until lunch time on Fridays.

Conceived in 2005 as a sustainable community, the planned population will eventually reach 450,000 people, including 250,000 residents living on expensive real estate and 200,000 more to serve them. Construction began in 2006 with backing from the country's sovereign wealth fund. Everything accelerated when Qatar won the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2010, with the main stadium placed here.

Shaped like the country's national crest, Katara Towers is home to 2 luxury hotels - Fairmont and Raffles. French hospitality firm Accor struck a deal to bring these two brands to Qatar. The Raffles has 132 suites that range in size from 88 sq m to their 2-storey Royal suite. The Fairmont has 362 rooms and suites.

The waterfront promenade is quite nice and wraps around the marina.