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

ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza, London, England
The price is NZ$183 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
NZ$183
24 Aug - 25 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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,396 reviews)
"TV didn’t work and flush on toilet didn’t always work… these were the only downsides though, it didn’t ruin our stay and we would return."

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

ARK Canary Wharf
Limehouse Library Hotel

Limehouse Library Hotel

4.5 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$254 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$254
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (808 reviews)
"Uniquely decorated with artwork, instruments and figurines that make one feel they are in a beautiful museum. Also features an excellent library and common area."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Limehouse Library 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$165 per night from 19 Aug to 20 Aug
NZ$165
19 Aug - 20 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,201 reviews)
"Good"

Reviewed on 15 Aug. 2025

Point A Hotel - London, 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$227 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$227
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (2,329 reviews)
"Rooms arw small but wvrythjbg very comfortable, clean and high quality. Recommend"

Reviewed on 15 Aug. 2025

Tribe London Canary Wharf
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$286 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
NZ$286
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (370 reviews)
"This hotel is beautiful the area is so perfect there are some beautiful restaurants close by the staff are so lovely and helpful simon and vicky answered any questions i had and were very happy to help with anything i am returning next week it was that nice"

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Hilton London Canary Wharf

Hilton London Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
South Quay, Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is NZ$309 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
NZ$309
25 Aug - 26 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! (1,005 reviews)
"The stay was comfortable and helpful staff. Thank you very much to Hilton team."

Reviewed on 11 Aug. 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

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 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 Russell Square and St Pancras Chambers. 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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