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

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 AU$193 per night from 30 June to 1 July
AU$193
30 June - 1 July
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,307 reviews)
"Nice location, oust DLR"

Reviewed on 26 Jun. 2025

ARK Canary Wharf
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 AU$168 per night from 29 June to 30 June
AU$168
29 June - 30 June
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,126 reviews)
"Decent stay for work nice location and all the amenities one needs"

Reviewed on 26 Jun. 2025

Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf
The International Hotel
The International Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is AU$124 per night from 29 June to 30 June
AU$124
29 June - 30 June
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in ...
6.4/10 (1,951 reviews)
"The hotel was located well and had some beautiful restaurants in walking distance. The rooms are a little dated and the shower in our room was broken, kept falling down off the holder. But the staff were lovely, and overall we had a lovely stay."

Reviewed on 27 Jun. 2025

The International Hotel
Tribe London Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
15 Water Street, London, England
The price is AU$208 per night from 6 July to 7 July
AU$208
6 July - 7 July
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! (2,241 reviews)
"Good place to stay easy location"

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 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 AU$253 per night from 6 July to 7 July
AU$253
6 July - 7 July
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! (265 reviews)
"Sam was wonderful! If I had any questions he would be on it right away. I had a great stay."

Reviewed on 24 Jun. 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Limehouse Library Hotel
Limehouse Library Hotel
4.5 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd, London, England
The price is AU$248 per night from 29 June to 30 June
AU$248
29 June - 30 June
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (716 reviews)
Totally eclectic
"A gem of a place! Situated right on the high street & just a few minutes walk from Limehouse DLR. The exterior is beautiful! But oh…when you walk through the door!! Wow! You’re met with a truly eclectic mix of bizarre ornaments & artwork all the way through the lobby & into to the bar / restaurant ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun. 2025

Limehouse Library 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)

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

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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 Liverpool Street. See more of London by jumping on the metro at Bank Underground Station or St. Paul's Underground Station.

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Southwark showing modern architecture and night scenes

Southwark

4/5(57 area reviews)

The Shard 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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