Squid Game Season 3 Filming Locations: Where to Stay and Eat Nearby

Annyeonghaseyo, fellow K-drama enthusiasts! Ji-won Kim here, your local Seoulite and travel writer for korea-hotel-picks.com. The global phenomenon that is Squid Game is set to return with its highly anticipated Season 3 in 2025, promising more heart-pounding games and unforgettable twists. Just like the previous seasons, fans are buzzing to revisit the real-world locations that bring this fictional universe to life. Stepping onto these sets, you can almost feel the tension and relive those iconic moments.

For Season 3, the production team has once again chosen a fascinating array of backdrops across Korea, blending traditional beauty with gritty urban realism. These locations perfectly captured the drama's signature blend of high stakes and psychological depth. Grab your planner, because I'm about to take you on an exclusive tour of where the magic (and mayhem!) of Squid Game Season 3 unfolded, complete with my personal recommendations for where to eat and stay nearby!

Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌 한옥마을): The Hidden Alley Game

For Squid Game Season 3, Bukchon Hanok Village set the stage for a cunning new 'Hidden Alley' game. Imagine players navigating its ancient, winding alleys and traditional courtyards, trying to decipher puzzles while avoiding watchful eyes. The contrast between the village's serene beauty and the game's brutal reality created some truly unforgettable, tension-filled scenes. Fans will instantly recognize the distinct tiled roofs and stone walls, a perfect blend of history and suspense.

Practical Visitor Info

• Address Area: Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul (Gye-donggil area)
• Opening Hours: Always accessible as it's a residential village, but please be mindful of residents. Most shops/cafes open 10:00 - 18:00.
• Admission: Free

Nearby Restaurant Recommendations

• Gohyang Jip (고향집): A charming, authentic Korean restaurant known for its traditional home-style cooking, especially their hearty Bibimbap and various Jeon (savory pancakes). Perfect for a comforting meal.
  • Price Range: ₩₩ (10,000 - 20,000 KRW per person)
• Samcheong-dong Sujebi (삼청동 수제비): A local institution famous for its incredibly delicious hand-pulled dough soup. It’s a simple, warm, and wonderfully flavorful dish that’s perfect on a chilly day. Expect a queue, but it’s worth it!
  • Price Range: ₩₩ (10,000 - 15,000 KRW per person)

Nearby Hotel Recommendations

• Hotel Nafore (3-star): Located a short walk from Bukchon, this modern hotel offers comfortable rooms with a touch of traditional Korean aesthetics. It's a fantastic base for exploring the historic heart of Seoul, ideal for culture-seeking drama tourists.
• Four Seasons Hotel Seoul (5-star): For those seeking luxury, this upscale hotel is a short taxi ride away, offering unparalleled service, exquisite dining, and stunning views of the city and Gyeongbokgung Palace. A perfect treat for a truly memorable Squid Game-inspired getaway.

Seoullo 7017 (서울로 7017): The Midnight Bridge

Seoullo 7017, the urban skygarden, took on a chilling new role in Squid Game Season 3. This elevated walkway, lit by the city's neon glow, became the setting for the 'Midnight Bridge' challenge – a psychological game where players made impossible choices amidst Seoul's bustling streets. The panoramic city views, usually a sight of beauty, transformed into a vertigo-inducing backdrop for desperation, perfectly capturing the loneliness and pressure faced by the contestants.

Practical Visitor Info

• Address Area: Jungnim-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (connects Seoul Station to Namdaemun Market)
• Opening Hours: 24 hours (gardens and cafes have specific hours)
• Admission: Free

Nearby Restaurant Recommendations

• Seoullo Terrace (서울로테라스): Situated right on Seoullo 7017, this casual dining spot offers a variety of light meals, snacks, and coffee with fantastic views of the city. It’s perfect for a quick bite while soaking in the atmosphere.
  • Price Range: ₩ (5,000 - 10,000 KRW per person)
• Namsan Pork Cutlet (남산돈까스): A beloved classic, just a short walk or taxi ride from Seoullo 7017. Famous for its crispy, generous portions of 돈까스 (donkkaseu), it's a comforting and satisfying meal.
  • Price Range: ₩₩ (10,000 - 18,000 KRW per person)

Nearby Hotel Recommendations

• Hotel Manu Seoul (4-star): Directly facing Seoullo 7017 and Seoul Station, this stylish hotel offers modern amenities and incredible convenience for exploring the city. Perfect for fans who want to literally step out their door onto a filming location.
• Courtyard by Marriott Seoul Namdaemun (4-star): A highly-rated hotel offering comfortable rooms, excellent service, and a prime location near Namdaemun Market and Seoullo 7017. Great for those who appreciate familiar comfort and easy access to attractions.

Incheon Industrial Zone (인천 산업단지): The Scrapyard Challenge

Venturing beyond central Seoul, Squid Game Season 3 embraced the raw, gritty aesthetic of an abandoned section within Incheon's industrial zone. Amidst towering piles of scrap metal and desolate warehouses, a brutal 'Scrapyard Challenge' unfolded. This scene focused on sheer physical endurance and desperate survival, a stark departure from previous games. While actual access to some specific areas is generally restricted as they are private property, exploring the periphery gives you a powerful sense of the atmosphere and scale of the game.

Practical Visitor Info

• Address Area: Gyeongin Industrial Complex, Incheon (specific areas are generally private property, recommended for exterior views from public roads only)
• Opening Hours: N/A (industrial area, best visited during daylight hours for safety)
• Admission: N/A

Nearby Restaurant Recommendations

• Yeonan Pier Sashimi Town (연안부두 횟집타운): After the grimness of the industrial zone, treat yourself to the freshest seafood! This bustling area offers numerous restaurants where you can pick your fish and have it prepared on the spot. A true Incheon culinary experience.
  • Price Range: ₩₩₩ (30,000 - 50,000 KRW+ per person depending on selection)
• Incheon Chinatown Jajangmyeon Alley (인천 차이나타운 짜장면 골목): Just a short distance away, Incheon is famous as the birthplace of Jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) in Korea. Explore the vibrant Chinatown and savor this iconic dish from one of the many renowned eateries.
  • Price Range: ₩ (8,000 - 15,000 KRW per person)

Nearby Hotel Recommendations

• Grand Hyatt Incheon (5-star): If you’re making a trip out to Incheon, why not enjoy some luxury? This hotel offers world-class amenities and is conveniently close to Incheon International Airport and the city's key attractions.
• Hotel Wolmido (3-star): For a more charming, local experience, this hotel near Wolmido Island offers comfortable stays with sea views and easy access to the scenic waterfront, amusement park, and cultural street.

Dream Forest (북서울 꿈의숲): The Forest Game

Who would have thought a beautiful urban park could host such psychological terror? Dream Forest, one of Seoul's largest green spaces, hosted the deceptively tranquil 'Forest Game' in Squid Game Season 3. Picture players navigating vast woodlands, serene ponds, and art installations, all while trying to decipher hidden clues and avoid unseen dangers. This location played on the idea of false security, where nature's beauty masked the constant threat, creating a unique and deeply unsettling atmosphere that fans won't soon forget.

Practical Visitor Info

• Address Area: Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: Park open 24 hours, visitor center/cafes 10:00 - 22:00 (check seasonal variations)
• Admission: Free

Nearby Restaurant Recommendations

• Dream Forest Cafe (꿈의숲 카페): Conveniently located within the park, this cafe offers light meals, sandwiches, desserts, and coffee. It's perfect for a relaxing break after exploring the vast grounds.
  • Price Range: ₩ (5,000 - 12,000 KRW per person)
• Dobongsan Dubu Baksang (도봉산 두부박상): A highly-regarded restaurant specializing in traditional Korean tofu dishes, located a short drive from Dream Forest towards Dobongsan Mountain. Fresh, healthy, and incredibly flavorful.
  • Price Range: ₩₩ (15,000 - 25,000 KRW per person)

Nearby Hotel Recommendations

• Hotel The Designers Cheongnyangni (3-star): A trendy boutique hotel offering stylish, comfortable rooms and excellent value. It’s well-connected by public transport, making it a good base for accessing Dream Forest and other northern Seoul attractions.
• Boutique Hotel K (Chang-dong) (3-star): A cozy, modern boutique hotel in a quieter part of northern Seoul. It offers a comfortable and intimate stay, perfect for those who prefer to be away from the bustling city center yet still within easy reach of the park.

Starfield COEX Library (별마당 도서관): The Library of Secrets

The iconic Starfield COEX Library, with its towering bookshelves and grand, open space, provided a magnificent backdrop for a key intellectual challenge in Squid Game Season 3. Imagine a 'Library of Secrets' game: players deciphering cryptic clues hidden within the vast collection, or navigating complex riddles under the watchful eyes of their mysterious hosts. The sheer scale and beauty of this location made for visually stunning scenes, powerfully contrasting intellectual struggle with the peaceful ambiance of a public library.

Practical Visitor Info

• Address Area: Starfield COEX Mall, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• Opening Hours: 10:30 - 22:00 daily
• Admission: Free

Nearby Restaurant Recommendations

• COEX Mall Food Court: Located conveniently within the mall, this sprawling food court offers an incredible array of Korean and international cuisines, from Bibimbap to pasta. It's perfect for satisfying any craving and offers plenty of seating.
  • Price Range: ₩ - ₩₩ (8,000 - 20,000 KRW per person)
• Gangnam Gyoja (강남교자): Just outside COEX, this famous restaurant chain is a must-try for its signature Kalguksu (handmade noodle soup) and Mandu (dumplings). A consistently delicious and popular choice among locals and visitors alike.
  • Price Range: ₩₩ (12,000 - 18,000 KRW per person)

Nearby Hotel Recommendations

• InterContinental Seoul COEX (5-star): Directly connected to the COEX Mall, this luxurious hotel offers ultimate convenience and a premium experience. Wake up and practically walk into the library! Ideal for fans who want to maximize their time exploring the mall and the area.
• Ocloud Hotel Gangnam (4-star): A modern and stylish hotel located near Gangnam Station, just a short subway ride or taxi from COEX. It provides excellent value, comfortable rooms, and easy access to Gangnam's vibrant shopping and entertainment districts.

Your Squid Game Season 3 Itinerary: Day Trip or Overnight?

With so many incredible locations, you might be wondering how to best organize your Squid Game Season 3 adventure. Here are a couple of ideas:

Day Trip Option: Seoul City Explorer

If you're based in central Seoul, combine Bukchon Hanok Village and Seoullo 7017 into a thrilling day. Start your morning exploring the traditional beauty of Bukchon, grab lunch at one of its charming eateries, then head south to Seoullo 7017 for urban drama, perhaps catching the sunset. This option is great for those who prefer to stay in one hotel and use Seoul's efficient public transport.

Overnight Immersion Option: East & West Seoul Blend

For a deeper dive, consider an overnight stay. You could spend a day in northern Seoul, exploring Dream Forest and its surrounding areas, perhaps staying at a boutique hotel nearby. The next day, venture out to the Incheon Industrial Zone for the grittier side of the drama, followed by a well-deserved seafood feast at Yeonan Pier. You could then return to Seoul to cap off your trip at Starfield COEX Library, or even opt for a luxurious stay at the InterContinental COEX to fully immerse yourself in the Gangnam experience. This allows for a more relaxed pace and a chance to truly soak in the unique atmosphere of each location.

No matter how you choose to explore, visiting these Squid Game Season 3 locations is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Remember to bring your camera, a sense of adventure, and comfortable shoes – you never know when you might need to make a quick escape (just kidding!). Enjoy your journey, and I can't wait to hear about your adventures!