Sex in unusual places

For many people, the bed is a familiar place for intimacy. Cozy and secluded, it offers an ideal spot for sensual and romantic play. But when it comes to desire and intimacy, ideas and fantasies also arise that are linked to completely different places—sometimes spontaneous, sometimes deliberately sought out, sometimes simply as a mental exercise. We here at the editorial office have also asked ourselves: What exciting places might turn people on when it comes to sex outside the bedroom?

Our writer Axel Schock has been doing some digging—and in this column, he shares a few insider tips. A quick note to start with: Having sex outside your own home can be legally tricky. At the same time, for some people, the allure of the forbidden is exactly what makes such fantasies exciting in the first place. It’s worth talking about.

For the romantics: Sex in nature

If you’re looking for a truly romantic experience, you’ll inevitably find yourself drawn to the great outdoors. Enjoying sex with all your senses under the open sky on a balmy summer evening—perhaps even spontaneously during a hike through the woods or a picnic in the countryside—is something no one forgets quickly and can also breathe new life into a relationship—in the truest sense of the word. To ensure it’s a thoroughly successful experience, we have some inspiring ideas and tips for your sensual adventures.

What could be more romantic than lying on soft grass, listening to the birds chirping, feeling the warm sun on your skin, and getting intimate in that kind of atmosphere? A blanket is definitely a good idea for a (spontaneous) romantic rendezvous in a meadow. Also, watch out for thorns, thistles, and rocks—and if you have allergies, keep an eye out for pollen.

Most importantly: Find a secluded spot where you won’t be seen or disturbed. In late summer, you’ll have no trouble finding one on a drive through the countryside. Amid the ears of grain, you feel as if nature is embracing you. By the way, tall rapeseed and cornfields offer a good hiding spot for a quick stand-up encounter. If you want to make love in a cornfield: That’s only a good idea if you don’t trample the crops and don’t get into trouble with the farmer.

Even a forest...

  ... offers plenty of cozy spots: Mossy clearings bathed in sunlight, or densely wooded areas that provide a fairy-tale setting for sex among the trees. A hunter’s raised hide can also offer a good vantage point and panoramic view, and at the moment of climax, you’re already quite close to the treetops and the sky.

Whether you're having sex in a forest clearing or an alpine meadow, be sure to check yourself for ticks afterward. You might also want to use mosquito repellent beforehand. For many, the ultimate erotic highlight of a vacation is...

...sex on the beach,

listening to the sound of the sea and feeling the warm sand against your skin.

The same rule applies here: To avoid any potential trouble (legally known as “indecent exposure”), be sure to find a quiet spot in a secluded cove, or wait until dusk to get naked—and maybe enjoy the picturesque sunset together first. Rolling around in the sand is, of course, the ultimate in romance. But when things get serious, grains of sand can be a bit of a nuisance, and condoms don’t particularly like them either. It’s much better and more comfortable to make love on a large beach towel.

For that extra special feeling – sex in the water

While you’re at the beach: Why not try having sex in the water? Whether it’s the North Sea or the Baltic Sea, as long as the water temperature allows it, the weightlessness in the water can be a completely new physical experience. To avoid unintentionally turning other beachgoers into voyeurs, you should move far enough away from the shore and find a quiet spot.

Having sex while standing, however, requires quite a bit of acrobatic skill, but as we all know, manual stimulation alone can bring a lot of pleasure. Incidentally, the bubbling water of a hot tub offers even more possibilities—and its own unique sensations. And even a simple swimming pool in the backyard can—in the darkness of night—become an exciting and stimulating place for sex.

Not wet enough yet? But you can also enjoy water play of all kinds right in your own home or in a hotel room—specifically, in the shower. Sure, you won’t get the feeling of weightlessness, but you’ll have the advantage of being able to support yourself comfortably. It’s best to put on a condom before your best part gets wet; otherwise, it’ll slip right off.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when having sex in the water: Salt and chlorine can damage condoms and make them more likely to break. Additionally, water washes away natural lubrication in women*. This can make it harder for the penis to enter the vagina. Since bacteria in the water can lead to infections, it’s a good idea to urinate thoroughly after swimming to flush out the urinary tract.

By the way, a device found in almost every household can do the same thing as a vibrator: the washing machine. Whether you’re alone or with a partner, the vibrations of the spin cycle give the term “dirty laundry” a whole new meaning.

For people with a flair for exhibitionism

Sex behind closed doors and in secluded spots is one thing. But what if you’re actually looking to have secret spectators during your intimate moments, just to indulge a little bit of exhibitionism? Sometimes all it takes is stepping out onto the balcony or terrace. (Professionals keep this in mind when booking their hotel rooms.) To avoid any trouble, however, you should still be as discreet and considerate as possible. This also applies to the number one spot on the list of favorite places to have sex besides the bed: sex in a car. Whether it’s a spontaneous quickie on the road, for which you look for the nearest rest stop, or a special romantic encounter on a summer night in a secluded spot with a view of nature, complete with a sunset. 

Sex in a car isn’t actually that comfortable—it’s just as cramped as in the shower—but that makes it all the more of a challenge. And if necessary, cheating is okay too; you can get down to business with the car door open or on the hood. In that case, though, you should make absolutely sure that you’re truly undisturbed and out of sight of others.

A bit cramped, but all the more intimate—and, depending on the location, particularly thrilling—is sex in a tent. Whether at an open-air festival or a regular campground, only a piece of fabric separates you from other people. If you want to remain as unnoticed as possible, you should avoid obvious shadows and keep your moans as quiet as possible. But perhaps your sounds of pleasure will be drowned out by the patter of rain or music in the background. 

If you just want to fool around a little but still feel the thrill of the forbidden, find a quiet spot in one of the back rows at a movie screening that isn’t too crowded. Or you can use the waiting time while your car goes through the car wash.

Sex with an extra thrill—for the daring

The thrill of possibly getting caught provides a special adrenaline rush and makes you feel like a teenager newly in love all over again. The hint of the forbidden, doing it as quickly and discreetly as possible, not only makes sex twice as exciting, but may even make your orgasm feel even more intense. If you want to take a big risk and are looking for a very special challenge, here are three ultimate erotic thrills:

1. Sex in an elevator. Even if you find a less-traveled elevator and ride from the ground floor to the top floor, climaxing there requires stamina and nerves of steel. And don’t forget: In modern elevators, a security camera is always watching you.

2. Sex at the office: Fancy a quickie on your desk during your lunch break? Or maybe stay a little late after work for some special activities? The place, time, and occasion should be carefully considered.

3. Sex on a plane: Membership in the Mile High Club is technically free, but it can still end up being quite expensive. While having sex in the airplane bathroom is a dream for many, it’s simply forbidden. Naturally, this makes it all the more tempting for some to squeeze into the cramped cubicle together. Pros, so the story goes, take advantage of overnight long-haul flights when fellow passengers are asleep and the crew has retired for the night, and choose aisle seats. By the way, train restrooms offer a slightly more spacious alternative.

We hope we’ve been able to show you a few different aspects of outdoor sex. The editorial team had a lot of work narrowing down the options here and found it difficult to limit ourselves to just a few. If we’ve forgotten anything special that we should look into further, please let us know!