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 AU$229 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$229
per night
6 Sept - 7 Sept
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 AU$219 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$219
per night
6 Sept - 7 Sept
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! (941 reviews)
"No complaints! Came here for Ariana Grande at the O2 and this hotel was close to many restaurants. One subway stop to the arena. Just wish they had AC."

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2026

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza London England
The price is AU$170 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$170
per night
6 Sept - 7 Sept
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,590 reviews)
"Rooms and facilities are OK, but be aware no air-conditioning so incredibly hot and very noisy with the DLR next door and no sound protection"

Reviewed on 28 Aug 2026

ARK Canary Wharf
Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel

4 out of 5
40 Marsh Wall London England
The price is AU$291 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$291
per night
6 Sept - 7 Sept
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 ...
Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel
Limehouse Library Hotel

Limehouse Library Hotel

4 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd London England
The price is AU$194 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$194
per night
6 Sept - 7 Sept
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,356 reviews)
"Wow!!! We fell in love with the quirkiness as soon as we walked through the door, absolutely right up our street! Collections of paintings, bits n bobs, and plants everywhere - so much to dust, was a repeated comment between us, but it all is spick & span. The building has been renovated & converted ..."

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2026

Limehouse Library Hotel
Tribe London Canary Wharf

Tribe London Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
15 Water Street London England
The price is AU$238 per night from 6 Sept to 7 Sept
AU$238
per night
6 Sept - 7 Sept
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. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,849 reviews)
"The gym you had to pay for daily if you wanted to use, which after spending so much to stay should be included, but that’s just my opinion"

Reviewed on 30 Aug 2026

Tribe 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.

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.

Soho

Soho is beloved for its fantastic nightlife. Take some time to explore sights in the area like Oxford Street and Soho Theatre.

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.



Canary Wharf Travel Guide

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