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$144 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
NZ$144
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 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! (1,063 reviews)
Lower cost way of staying in London.
"Bright and clean, Undergoing modernisation (I think to set up a breakfast restaurant). Bit of a walk from Canary Wharf. Adjacent to a Wetherspoons. Smallish room, great for a short stay."

Reviewed on 22 Apr. 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$208 per night from 18 May to 19 May
NZ$208
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May
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! (2,037 reviews)
"Someone to help take bags to our room would have been nice, rooms were small, comfortable bed."

Reviewed on 21 Apr. 2025

Tribe 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$245 per night from 4 May to 5 May
NZ$245
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
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 ...
Well located and comfortable stay.
"I had a fantastic stay at this hotel. The staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful throughout, and the facilities were excellent—everything was clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully arranged. The location is ideal, with easy access to central London via public transport, and perfectly placed ..."

Reviewed on 22 Apr. 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
The International Hotel
The International Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is NZ$131 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
NZ$131
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 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 (2,005 reviews)
"The staff were very friendly and helpful the room was excellent and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to stay in London"

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2025

The International Hotel
ARK Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza, London, England
The price is NZ$218 per night from 11 May to 12 May
NZ$218
includes taxes & fees
11 May - 12 May
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! (1,278 reviews)
"Great property, with a great pool at the top. Parking is an added plus, as you would expect for the price the rooms are fairly small but I try to stay here every time i am in London"

Reviewed on 17 Apr. 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$323 per night from 4 May to 5 May
NZ$323
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
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! (1,017 reviews)
Perfect
"Absolutely perfect from reception to the room to service and food and a stones throw from the 02 where we were attending a concert highly highly recommend!"

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 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 Liverpool Street. 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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