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 meters) of office space in the towers where more than 105,000 people work. The buildings cater for the needs of workers with shopping centers 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 meters) 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 center.

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

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$190 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$190
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and climate control. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,026 reviews)
"A real find. Was really not expecting much for the price, but it was clean, compact but with everything you need and a very comfy bed, close to transport links and restaurants. Yes there is currently building work going on, but only during the day when we were out and about so didn’t bother us at ..."

Reviewed on 20 Mar. 2025

Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
15 Water Street, London, England
The price is NZ$249 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
NZ$249
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
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 ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,073 reviews)
"Clean contemporary hotel, great staff & fab location"

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 2025

Tribe London Canary Wharf
The International Hotel
The International Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is NZ$134 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
NZ$134
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in our reviews. ...
6.2/10 (2,009 reviews)
"Excellent service all round."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

The International Hotel
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane, London, England
The price is NZ$242 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$242
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and dry cleaning or laundry services. Popular attractions O2 Arena and ExCeL ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (112 reviews)
First stay
"Great stay for 1 night for C2C festival! No complaints at all, would stay again"

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza, London, England
The price is NZ$195 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
NZ$195
includes taxes & fees
10 Apr - 11 Apr
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,269 reviews)
"We need a travel alert notice"

Reviewed on 23 Mar. 2025

ARK Canary Wharf
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East
4 out of 5
5 Fairmont Avenue, Canary Wharf, London, England
The price is NZ$297 per night from 20 Apr to 21 Apr
NZ$297
includes taxes & fees
20 Apr - 21 Apr
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Nice clean hotel by the river"

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East
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 which includes a skyscraper, 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
Southwark showing modern architecture and night scenes

Southwark

4/5(57 area reviews)

Razor and London City Hall are top sights in Southwark, and you should be sure to explore the stunning river views. Hop aboard the metro at Kennington Underground Station or Bermondsey Station to see more sights in the area.

Southwark
London showing a bridge, a city and heritage architecture

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 showing heritage elements, markets 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


Canary Wharf Travel Guide

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