Canary Wharf Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Canary Wharf featuring a city, a high-rise building and modern architecture
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

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Our pick of the best Canary Wharf Hotel Deals

Britannia The International Hotel London, Canary Wharf
Britannia The International Hotel London, Canary Wharf
3.5 out of 5
Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is AU$113 per night from 6 May to 7 May
AU$113
per night
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the overall value in our reviews. Popular ...
6/10 (1,759 reviews)
"Very much in need of a refurbishment. Feels and is very old in decor and all in all it’s a very basic hotel."

Reviewed on 24 Apr. 2024

Britannia The International Hotel London, Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
15 Water Street, London, England
The price is AU$214 per night from 19 May to 20 May
AU$214
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,389 reviews)
"I needed somewhere to stay the night before running the London Marathon. This was a perfect location to access everything I needed the day before and the day of the marathon. The hotel was spotless, the staff were friendly and efficient. I also enjoyed and appreciated the good food on offer in the ..."

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2024

Tribe London Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza, London, England
The price is AU$221 per night from 19 May to 20 May
AU$221
per night
19 May - 20 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Wonderful weekend staycation. We used all facilities except gym. It was feel nice and relaxing"

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2024

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$173 per night from 6 May to 7 May
AU$173
per night
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this 3-star hotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Great location for the London Marathon,my wife was spectating and was able to see me a few times around Canary Wharf. The room was clean and modern and the staff were very friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 22 Apr. 2024

Point A Hotel - London, Canary Wharf
Cove Landmark Pinnacle
Cove Landmark Pinnacle
4 out of 5
15 Westferry Rd, London, England
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$240 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
AU$240
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in London. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (260 reviews)
"Very helpful staff"

Reviewed on 1 Apr. 2024

Cove Landmark Pinnacle
Hilton London Canary Wharf
Hilton London Canary Wharf
4 out of 5
South Quay, Marsh Wall, London, England
The price is AU$261 per night from 6 May to 7 May
AU$261
per night
6 May - 7 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in London. Enjoy breakfast, 24-hour room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"My daughter was running the London Marathon so it was nice for her to soak in the bath afterwards. The room was a good size and it had a fridge which was useful."

Reviewed on 22 Apr. 2024

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)

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

The City of London
Southwark showing modern architecture and night scenes

Southwark

4/5(57 area reviews)

The Shard and Razor 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 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
Carnaby Street which includes a square or plaza as well as a large group of people

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 showing interior views and heritage architecture 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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