Canary Wharf Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Canary Wharf showing a city, a bridge and a river or creek
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
One Canada Square featuring a skyscraper, a river or creek and a bridge

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$224 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
NZ$224
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,097 reviews)
A unique hotel which is quirky in design from both decor and room perspectives. Very clean and great location for both central London and The O2 but the bed could be a little more comfortable. Also too much ambient lighting from the mini-bar fridge makes it very difficult to get the room completely ...

Reviewed on 15 Jan 2026

Limehouse Library Hotel
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza London England
The price is NZ$162 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
NZ$162
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,482 reviews)
The room was very clean, and very comfortable bed. The shower was very good but on the small side as was the sink. The room was let down by lots of dirty scuff marks and flaking paint on the walls and there was a crack in the plasterboard as you walked in on the right which didn't give a good first ...

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

ARK Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane London England
The price is NZ$295 per night from 20 Feb to 21 Feb
NZ$295
20 Feb - 21 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this aparthotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions O2 Arena and ExCeL Exhibition Centre ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (584 reviews)
The whole stay was amazing, great cleanliness, location and very friendly staff. Overall an exceptional customer experience!

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East

4 out of 5
5 Fairmont Avenue London England
The price is NZ$297 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
NZ$297
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,104 reviews)
Spotless room, helpful staff. Shuttle bus

Reviewed on 20 Jan 2026

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East
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$176 per night from 25 Jan to 26 Jan
NZ$176
25 Jan - 26 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,341 reviews)
I was very pleasantly surprised by this hotel for the money. The foyer was very clean and welcoming, the staff very friendly and helpful and the room (although fairly small) was spotless and had all the amenities needed. Continental breakfast was very nicely prepared and laid out. It is the first ...

Reviewed on 12 Jan 2026

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

Dorsett Canary Wharf London

4 out of 5
48 Marsh Wall London England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$318 per night from 23 Jan to 24 Jan
NZ$318
23 Jan - 24 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions O2 Arena and Tower Bridge are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (49 reviews)
The Hotel was at great location a nice. But the bed was had a hard mattress

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Dorsett Canary Wharf London
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 Piccadilly Circus and London Eye 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 St Pancras Chambers and British Library. 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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