Canary Wharf Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A waterfront with modern buildings, including a curved structure with glass windows and a bridge overhead.
Two tall buildings with glass facades under a partly cloudy sky.
A large, historic building with a fountain in front.
A modern cityscape with high-rise buildings, a pedestrian bridge over water, and a clear sky.
A modern bridge with a cable design, a river, and high-rise buildings in the background.

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.


Stay near popular Canary Wharf attractions

Activities


Our pick of the best Canary Wharf Hotel Deals

Locke London Canary Wharf

Locke London Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
1 Cartier Circle London England
The price is NZ$254 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
NZ$254
6 Sept - 7 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Popular attractions The Arena and Excel London are located ...
Locke 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$252 per night from 20 Sept to 21 Sept
NZ$252
20 Sept - 21 Sept
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 The Arena and Excel London are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (936 reviews)
"Great location. Easy access to London on the Jubilee line. 5 minutes walk to station. Room was very clean. No air conditioning but this wasn’t a problem for us however the room was quite noisy first thing in the morning with the window open because of the planes and building work going on outside. ..."

Reviewed on 24 Aug 2026

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza London England
The price is NZ$205 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
NZ$205
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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 ...
ARK Canary Wharf
Limehouse Library Hotel

Limehouse Library Hotel

4 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd London England
The price is NZ$221 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
NZ$221
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
Limehouse Library Hotel
Tribe London Canary Wharf

Tribe London Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
15 Water Street London England
The price is NZ$233 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
NZ$233
30 Aug - 31 Aug
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. ...
Tribe London Canary Wharf
Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

4 out of 5
40 Marsh Wall London England
The price is NZ$320 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
NZ$320
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,014 reviews)
"Good hotel - nice stay in a good location for the tube."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2026

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel
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.

Our guide on where to stay in Canary Wharf

Find the best Canary Wharf areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Canary Wharf
Learn more about Canary Wharf

London City Centre

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.

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 London Transport Museum while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Covent Garden Underground Station to get around town.

City of Westminster

Big Ben and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in City of Westminster. Hop around the city on the metro at St. James's Park Underground Station or Victoria Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.

Mayfair

Travellers love Mayfair for its popular shops, and you can see more of London by jumping on the metro at Bond Street Underground Station or Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station. You might spend time checking out top sights like Oxford Street and Bond Street.

West End

Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square are a few top attractions in West End. Hop around the city on the metro at Bond Street (Elizabeth Line) Station or Oxford Circus Underground Station and check out the area's fascinating museums, popular shops and acclaimed art galleries.



Canary Wharf Travel Guide

Choose two or more items and save on your trip:

Explore a world of travel with Expedia