Canary Wharf Travel Guide

London

Canary Wharf showing a bridge, a city and a river or creek
Canary Wharf showing modern architecture, a city and a high-rise building
Canary Wharf featuring a fountain and a city
Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf featuring a river or creek, a city and a bridge

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

Limehouse Library Hotel

Limehouse Library Hotel

4.5 out of 5
638 Commercial Rd London England
The price is Rp1.754.741 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
Rp1.754.741
Rp2.105.689 total
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,037 reviews)
Excellent independent hotel. Comfortable rooms, spotlessly clean and a great breakfast. Would recommend

Reviewed on 14 Dec 2025

Limehouse Library Hotel
Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
3 & 15 West Lane London England
The price is Rp2.429.722 per night from 24 Dec to 25 Dec
Rp2.429.722
Rp2.915.666 total
24 Dec - 25 Dec
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 O2 Arena and ExCeL Exhibition Centre ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (534 reviews)
Great staff, location was 5-10 mins from 2x tube lines. Towel heater in bathroom and radiator really heat up the room, even in winter we had to open the window.(warm interiors is a British thing so not specific to Vertus Edit) was in the #3 building with the smaller “lounge” on the 2nd floor was ...

Reviewed on 13 Dec 2025

Vertus Edit Canary Wharf
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East

4 out of 5
5 Fairmont Avenue London England
The price is Rp2.448.268 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
Rp2.448.268
Rp2.937.922 total
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
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 helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,056 reviews)
The room was lovely and spotless. And the customer service at reception was excellent. All the staff were professional and friendly. Very impressed with the customer service.

Reviewed on 9 Dec 2025

Radisson Blu Hotel, London Canary Wharf East
ARK Canary Wharf

ARK Canary Wharf

4 out of 5
20 Crossharbour Plaza London England
The price is Rp1.483.799 per night from 21 Dec to 22 Dec
Rp1.483.799
Rp1.780.559 total
21 Dec - 22 Dec
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 ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,441 reviews)
Exactly what I expected for the price, somewhere to crash. Friendly front office :)

Reviewed on 12 Dec 2025

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 Rp2.522.458 per night from 4 Jan to 5 Jan
Rp2.522.458
Rp3.026.950 total
4 Jan - 5 Jan 2026
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
You had only decaf coffee in the room. Not ideal.

Reviewed on 7 Dec 2025

Novotel London Canary Wharf Hotel
Premier Inn London Canary Wharf - Westferry

Premier Inn London Canary Wharf - Westferry

3 out of 5
173 Limehouse Causeway London England
Stay at this hotel in London. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions O2 Arena and Tower Bridge are located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (121 reviews)
The room was spotless, very nice, and the staff was super friendly. Great location close to the train, and awesome breakfast!!

Reviewed on 9 Dec 2025

Premier Inn London Canary Wharf - Westferry
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

4/5(72 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(668 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 a bridge, a city and heritage architecture

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 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 London Transport Museum 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(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 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 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