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$225 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$225
30 Nov - 1 Dec
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (998 reviews)
We only stayed for one night, but absolutely loved the quirky decor, the plush seating and bar areas and the delicious breakfast. The bed was the comfiest I’ve ever slept in and our room was exceptional, both in style and cleanliness. We can’t wait to visit again!

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2025

Limehouse Library Hotel
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane London England
The price is NZ$372 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$372
30 Nov - 1 Dec
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! (498 reviews)
great room with lots storage

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2025

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$334 per night from 30 Nov to 1 Dec
NZ$334
30 Nov - 1 Dec
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! (1,037 reviews)
Nice greeting. Quick check in with polite and helpful staff.

Reviewed on 26 Nov 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East
Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

4 out of 5
40 Marsh Wall London England
The price is NZ$313 per night from 23 Dec to 24 Dec
NZ$313
23 Dec - 24 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
Nice clean modern room , could do with more tea and coffee or even a biscuit. The bed was wonderful. Why no bath ro. Bed was wonderfully b?

Reviewed on 17 Nov 2025

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel
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 14 Dec to 15 Dec
NZ$249
14 Dec - 15 Dec
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,312 reviews)
The hotel looked very clean, the staff very friendly and in general I had a great stay

Reviewed on 24 Nov 2025

Tribe London Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza London England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$224 per night from 26 Dec to 27 Dec
NZ$224
26 Dec - 27 Dec
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! (1,439 reviews)
good!

Reviewed on 21 Nov 2025

ARK 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)

Brick Lane and Columbia Road Flower Market 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 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

Choose two or more items and save on your trip: