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$185 per night from 1 Jan to 2 Jan
NZ$185
1 Jan - 2 Jan 2026
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,054 reviews)
The check in was smooth and was then walked to my room which was nice. The room was spotless and nicely themed. I was in the Charles Dickens room which was lovely but don't think it deserves the Deluxe King title looking at some of the other rooms available. Room was spacious but the extra chairs ...

Reviewed on 26 Dec 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$273 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
NZ$273
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
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! (550 reviews)
Staff were very pleasant, and the room was very clean. It is in a lovely area. I would suggest updating the address as on arrival we ended up at the other side of the river in Bermondsey. When I called to say the staff member was very friendly and helpful.

Reviewed on 26 Dec 2025

Vertus Edit 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$162 per night from 7 Jan to 8 Jan
NZ$162
7 Jan - 8 Jan 2026
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! (1,449 reviews)
The staff were fantastic! The top floor exquisite to work and relax on. Just needs a restaurant on site

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

ARK Canary Wharf
Premier Inn London Canary Wharf - Westferry

Premier Inn London Canary Wharf - Westferry

3 out of 5
173 Limehouse Causeway London England
The price is NZ$126 per night from 11 Jan to 12 Jan
NZ$126
11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions O2 Arena and Tower Bridge are located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (130 reviews)
The room was clean, the amenities were good. Reception staff were helpful and check in/check out was easy. At breakfast, Marina was extremely friendly and went above and beyond to make sure we could get food even though we were a bit late.

Reviewed on 19 Dec 2025

Premier Inn London Canary Wharf - Westferry
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$252 per night from 11 Jan to 12 Jan
NZ$252
11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026
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! (1,061 reviews)
Nice clean hotel. Spacious room. Not keen on the location. Looks close to o2 but was a fair walk to station or bus stop in quiet dark area. Breakfast ok but could have been better. Fair for price in London.

Reviewed on 21 Dec 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$315 per night from 11 Jan to 12 Jan
NZ$315
11 Jan - 12 Jan 2026
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)
Akir on reception was amazing lovely warm welcome, nothing too much trouble. Such a rarity to meet a really lovely person 💕 Housekeeping was a bit hit and miss on occasion and Akir was on it and it was sorted 😀.

Reviewed on 23 Dec 2025

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.

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

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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.

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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 London Transport Museum 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 Piccadilly Circus and London Eye 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

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