Canary Wharf Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Canary Wharf showing a city, a bridge and a river or creek
Canary Wharf featuring a city, a high-rise building and modern architecture
Canary Wharf which includes a city and a fountain
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf featuring a bridge, a city and a river or creek

Wander around London’s financial district in the scenic docklands with the tallest skyscrapers in the city. They are home to some of the world’s biggest companies.

Canary Wharf is the main business district in London. It features skyscrapers housing some of the largest companies in the world dotted around the picturesque docks of the River Thames. The area comprises about 14 million square feet (1.3 million square metres) of office space in the towers where more than 105,000 people work. The buildings cater for the needs of workers with shopping centres full of restaurants, cafés and stores.

Gaze up at One Canada Square, one of the tallest buildings in Europe. It stands at 771 feet (235 metres) tall and was completed in 1991. At that time, it was the highest skyscraper in the United Kingdom. Banks, newspapers and many other companies have offices here. Browse the shops and restaurants at the base of the building.

Walk around the main plaza, where there are cafés with outdoor seating spilling out into the square. Dine at one of the restaurants in Cabot Square. Admire the elegant water fountain in the centre.

Have a picnic by the docklands. Although the area is renowned for its urban and commercial atmosphere, there are green plazas and charming canals.

The wharf was one of the busiest docks in the world at the turn of the 19th century. After the decline of the port industry in the 1980s, it was closed. Today’s business district was built in the 1990s.

Canary Wharf is situated in the West India Docks region of Tower Hamlets in east London. Due to its economic importance, there are transportation links from all over the city to the financial district. Take the London Underground to Canary Wharf Station, a giant transportation hub on the Jubilee Line. You can also catch the Docklands Light Railway system. For a more scenic route, take a boat to the Canary Wharf Pier along the River Thames.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Canary Wharf Hotel Deals

Limehouse Library Hotel

Limehouse Library Hotel

4.5 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd, London, England
The price is NZ$298 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$298
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (864 reviews)
"The hotel itself was beautiful. The staff was friendly and kind, also helpful with questions about the area and honest about things like keeping your cell phone and purse close to you in certain areas. It is a five minute wallk to the closest tube, and if you are not in a rush, its a 10 minute walk ..."

Reviewed on 9 Sept 2025

Limehouse Library Hotel
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza, London, England
The price is NZ$205 per night from 28 Sept to 29 Sept
NZ$205
28 Sept - 29 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,421 reviews)
"Unexpectedly tiny shower but other than that amazing ! Highly recomend"

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

ARK Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf

Tribe London Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
15 Water Street, London, England
The price is NZ$232 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$232
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,354 reviews)
"I would definitely recommend this hotel. I felt like part of the family and would definitely stay here again"

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2025

Tribe London Canary Wharf
Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf

Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf

3 out of 5
1B Hertsmere Road West, London, England
The price is NZ$191 per night from 5 Oct to 6 Oct
NZ$191
5 Oct - 6 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,230 reviews)
"Brilliant spot, convenient, easy and very clean!"

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf
Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

4 out of 5
40 Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is NZ$344 per night from 10 Oct to 11 Oct
NZ$344
10 Oct - 11 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"The view was to die for , very clean."

Reviewed on 4 Sept 2025

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane, London, England
The price is NZ$346 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
NZ$346
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions O2 Arena and ExCeL Exhibition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (404 reviews)
"The receptionist, nice young lady with brown hair, was really friendly and helpful when checking us in, greeting us during our stay and storing our luggage for us on the day of departure. The room was a good size with well thought out and good quality necessities, such as the Dyson air fan, and decent ..."

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Canary Wharf

London showing street scenes and markets as well as a family

Shoreditch

5/5(10 area reviews)

Shoreditch High St and Brick Lane are top sights in Shoreditch, and you should be sure to explore the fantastic nightlife. Hop aboard the metro at Shoreditch High Street Overground Station or Old Street Underground Station to see more sights in the area.

Shoreditch
The City of London showing heritage architecture, a city and modern architecture

The City of London

4.5/5(80 area reviews)

The City of London is highly notable for its stunning cathedral, and you might want to visit top sights like St. Paul's Cathedral and London Guildhall. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Bank Underground Station or St. Paul's Underground Station.

The City of London
London showing boating, a river or creek and a city

Waterloo

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Known for its stunning river views and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Waterloo. Check out top attractions like London Eye and Southbank Centre, and jump on the metro at Waterloo Underground Station or Lambeth North Underground Station to see more of the city.

Waterloo
London which includes markets, heritage elements and signage

Covent Garden

The lively bars and colourful gardens are just a few top-rate features of the neighbourhood. Make a stop by Covent Garden Market or Royal Opera House while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

Covent Garden
Default Image

London City Centre

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its fascinating museums, stunning river views and acclaimed art galleries, there's plenty to explore in London City Centre. Top attractions like Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus are major draws. Catch the metro at Charing Cross Underground Station or Leicester Square Underground Station to see more of the city.

London City Centre
Kings Cross St. Pancras which includes heritage architecture and interior views as well as a small group of people

Kings Cross St. Pancras

Kings Cross St. Pancras is highly notable for its fascinating museums, and you might want to visit top sights like Russell Square and St Pancras Chambers. See more of London by jumping on the metro at King's Cross & St. Pancras Underground Station or Russell Square Underground Station.

Kings Cross St. Pancras


Canary Wharf Travel Guide

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