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

ARK Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza, London, England
The price is NZ$204 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$204
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,320 reviews)
Thank you for a comfortable stay
"I had a couple of issues with my key card but they were sorted quickly. All staff were friendly and helpful. While I thought initially the DLR noise would bother me, the service finished as I was going to sleep and wasnt running at that weekend so i actually slept really well. Pool, steam room and ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

ARK Canary Wharf
The International Hotel
The International Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is NZ$155 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$155
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in ...
6.4/10 (1,971 reviews)
Super excited
"Clean and tidy room"

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

The International Hotel
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$172 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
NZ$172
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,134 reviews)
"Great location to get into the city or Canary Wharf. Late bar and the AirCon worked!"

Reviewed on 7 Jul. 2025

Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane, London, England
The price is NZ$251 per night from 7 Aug to 8 Aug
NZ$251
7 Aug - 8 Aug
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! (289 reviews)
"Helpful staff, great location, clean rooms, near shops and restaurants"

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
15 Water Street, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$212 per night from 27 July to 28 July
NZ$212
27 July - 28 July
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! (2,255 reviews)
"We had such a lovely stay, the person on reception upgraded our room and also let us check in a few hours early which we really appreciated :) The room was super clean and modern. The hotel only a 5 minute walk to the underground and close to lots of restaurants and cafes too. The area felt very ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Tribe London Canary Wharf
Hilton London Canary Wharf
Hilton London Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
South Quay, Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is NZ$318 per night from 1 Aug to 2 Aug
NZ$318
1 Aug - 2 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
Great stop for ABBA Voyage
"Had a great day/night shopping in London. We went to abba voyage too. Not far on the tube"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Hilton London 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

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Stratford

Stratford is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Aspers Casino and Westfield Stratford City. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Pudding Mill Lane Station or Leyton Underground Station.

Stratford
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
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
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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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