Canary Wharf Travel Guide

London

Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf

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

Things to do


Top hotels in Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane London England
The price is ฿5,392 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿5,392
฿6,470 total
17 May - 18 May
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 The Arena and ExCeL Exhibition Centre ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (726 reviews)
Really great place - very impressed

Reviewed on 14 May 2026

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza London England
The price is ฿4,198 per night from 31 May to 1 Jun
฿4,198
฿5,037 total
31 May - 1 Jun
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 ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,587 reviews)
It started very badly with Satnav sending us to a pedestrianised deadend at the waterfront. However with telephone assistance from the Ark staff we eventually found the entrance which is set back from the road. We stayed in a tiny double bed studio, probably the smallest we have ever seen. It was ...

Reviewed on 14 May 2026

ARK Canary Wharf
Tribe London Canary Wharf

Tribe London Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
15 Water Street London England
The price is ฿4,487 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿4,487
฿5,385 total
17 May - 18 May
includes taxes & fees
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! (2,075 reviews)
Nice decor. Security & sustainability awareness

Reviewed on 11 May 2026

Tribe London Canary Wharf
Dorsett Canary Wharf London

Dorsett Canary Wharf London

4 out of 5
48 Marsh Wall London England
The price is ฿5,066 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿5,066
฿6,079 total
17 May - 18 May
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Popular attractions The Arena and Tower Bridge are located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (93 reviews)
Very nice hotel in a good location, close to stations and have nearby shops. Let us check in early as well! Bed was very comfy and room is very clean.

Reviewed on 15 May 2026

Dorsett Canary Wharf London
The Lansbury Heritage Hotel By Sunday - Canary Wharf London

The Lansbury Heritage Hotel By Sunday - Canary Wharf London

4 out of 5
117 Poplar High Street London England
The price is ฿3,169 per night from 7 Jun to 8 Jun
฿3,169
฿3,803 total
7 Jun - 8 Jun
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 breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
Perfect room size, very clean and a unique, fun layout. The staff were very welcoming and friendly. The spa was lovely and fortunately quiet.

Reviewed on 14 May 2026

The Lansbury Heritage Hotel By Sunday - Canary Wharf London
Limehouse Library Hotel

Limehouse Library Hotel

4 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd London England
The price is ฿3,283 per night from 17 May to 18 May
฿3,283
฿3,940 total
17 May - 18 May
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,241 reviews)
Nice hotel, quirky and interesting. Unfortunately my lock on my door didn't work and required someone to let me back into my room every time I left. Additionally, the breakfast was not great.

Reviewed on 12 May 2026

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

Shoreditch

Shoreditch

4/5(73 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

The City of London

4.5/5(674 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
Waterloo

Waterloo

4.5/5(11 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 Royal Festival Hall, and jump on the metro at Waterloo Underground Station or Lambeth North Underground Station to see more of the city.

Waterloo
Covent Garden

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
London City Centre

London City Centre

4.5/5(21 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

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