Public sex is sexual activity that takes place in a public context. It refers to one or more persons performing a sex act in a public place. Or in a private place which can be viewed from a public place.

Such a private place may be a back yard, a barn, balcony or a bedroom with the curtains open. Public sex also includes sexual acts in semi-public places where the general public is free to enter, such as shopping malls.

Where to Have Public Sex?

Public sex acts can be performed in a car (colloquially called “parking”), on a beach, in a forest, theatre, bus, aeroplane, street, toilet cubicle, or cemetery, besides other locations.

According to a large study in 2008, having sex in a public place is a common fantasy and a significant number of couples or individuals have done so. The fantasy is at times depicted in art or film.

Can you honestly look your partner in the eyes and say you’ve never thought about having sex in a public place? You, like the rest of the world, probably have an exhibitionist streak somewhere playing inside or curiosity at the least.

I like to think there is a little voyeur in all of us, certified sex coach, sexologist, and author of All The F*cking Mistakes: A Guide to Sex, Love and Life. “The idea of someone watching you have sex is pretty hot. It’s like staring in your own porn movie.”

Forbidden Public Sex?

Having sex in a public place feels forbidden (it is illegal, mind you) and the chance of getting caught with your hands dirty (literally, probably) gets adrenaline pumping. Plus, if you’re in a long-term relationship, going at it in the wild can spice things up. Especially if you feel your sex life has plateaued lately.

You’ll get creative. “Just think about all the scheming and on-the-fly thinking”. And bring those vibes back behind closed doors.

It also requires a level of trust that you’re in it together, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure says. “It gives you the opportunity to explore something that can take you to a new erotic edge.”

With public romps, it’s important to consider consent. Of course, that includes you and your partner. But also those who might be around. Obviously, strangers haven’t signed up to watch you bone. Being sexually open and adventurous is awesome. But you also need to be a decent and respectful person, so you need to find the right blurry line between public and **still** private.

There’s also the very real chance of getting arrested or fined if you’re caught. The thought of getting busted is the hottest part…but you don’t have to take that literally to get off.But back to the fun stuff. Here are some of the best and most, uh, rewarding places to have sex in public—without getting caught.

Top Ten To Have Public Sex

1. Your Backyard Or Balcony

If you’re a newbie to public sex, you might want to ease into the IRL idea. “The backyard of your home has the comfort to keep the sex at ease,” Levine says. “Wondering if the neighbors will see ups the mystery and your arousal.”

It’s thrilling to know someone could spot you, and you’re outside but in a clean, private space. And since it’s your property, no worries about breaking the law.

Make It Hotter: Put your patio furniture to good use (beyond the occasional backyard BBQ). “If you have a lounger, this can be a good opportunity for you to lie back and enjoy some relaxed oral sex out in the sunshine,” Engle says. Before you head out, don’t forget to grab some water-based lube and a favorite toy.

2. Your Car

Remember when Hannah from The Bachelorette found a condom in Pilot Peter’s car? That could be your future.

If The Titanic and high school gossip has taught me anything, it’s that the car is a prime spot to get hot and steamy. It’s a private-but-public space that you have more control over.

Make It Hotter: During sunset or under the cover of nightfall, turn off onto a quiet road or find an empty parking lot to discreetly park. Skip the front seat (the horn could blow your cover when you want to blow other things), and opt for the backseat instead.

It’ll help keep you hidden, and there’s more room to play around with positions.

3. A Hotel Room

Check in for a good time. Whether you’re traveling with your significant other or just got a hotel room for a sexy staycation, make it your playground.

It may not seem public, but when you open the curtains (all of them, all the way) and have sex against the window, it’s pretty d*mn close. It doesn’t matter if your view overlooks a parking lot or another building—you’ll still get a rush knowing people can (and likely will) see.

Make It Hotter: Up the stakes and wait until the evening, when you can turn on all the lights to illuminate you and your partner. Ooh.

4. A Park Or Wooded Area

Who doesn’t love getting down with nature? Find a spot to settle down for your romp in an empty, low-traffic park or lightly wooded area. You want enough camouflage to be shielded, with enough ‘publicness’ to make it sexy.

She also warns against going too deep into a wooded area—getting ravaged by bugs and ticks (or poison ivy) isn’t hot. If you’d rather be on the ground, bring a blanket to avoid mud and grass stains.

This will give you a makeshift sex area and something to use for quick coverups. You know, just in case. Make It Hotter: Put some thought into what you’re wearing, as you both want to don something with easy access.

Think long dresses or stretchy shorts that you can quickly pull down or up in case of emergency (read: passerbys). Knowing you’re equipped for a quickie (or multiple ones) is a turn-on in itself…

5. A Rooftop

This is more practical for city folk with access to a flat roof, so take proper precautions. But an open rooftop is like your balcony, only more risqué, because anyone (and everyone) can see.

Engle has one important reminder: If you’re in the great outdoors and going to up there for quite some time, don’t forget to put on some sunscreen. (Seriously…that’s not the kind of red hot you want.)

Make It Hotter: Bring a cushion, a thick yoga mat or towel, or something soft to add comfort (rooftops are…hard). You can also snuggle it under your hips to create a bit of leverage for deeper penetration. (Or shop one of these made-for-it sex pillows.)

6. A Sex Party

While it might be lightyears out of your comfort zone, a sex party has a serious benefit: You can avoid the distracting thought of getting caught so you can focus on performance.

At an event like this, you don’t have to worry who might be watching, since everyone is there for the same reason—no snitching is part of the rules. So you can let your exhibitionist flag fly high.

Make It Hotter: The words “boundaries” and “consent” don’t scream sexy, but talking about what you both want out of your experience before you arrive will ensure you have a wicked good time.

After all, you won’t know what’s on the table until you have a mutual convo about it…

7. An Outdoor Shower

I’m not talking about getting frisky under the showers at the beach—where, yes, you will get arrested. Some fancy hotels and Airbnb’s have them, so include that in your filter search (wink).

Thanks to the electric mix of streaming water, the fresh air, and the chance of a viewer or two, it’s sexy, especially on a hot summer night.

Make It Hotter: Your best method of action is to face a wall and bend over, and find something you can prop a foot on for a deeper sensation. Try these steamy tips and positions just for shower sex, too.

8. The Beach

Another young fantasy come to life, but with a few caveats: Visit a quiet part of the beach at night to avoid people, and stay on land to avoid saltwater from drying you up down there.

Lay blankets down carefully so you don’t come away with sand and nasties in every crevice of your body. And try positions where you can avoid a lot of sand tossing around, like riding your partner on a beach chair or spooning each other on the blanket.

Make It Hotter: Bring a bottle of wine and a pillow to stargaze afterward. Now you just went from public-sex-hot to romance-novel-intimate. Swoon!

9. In A Tent

Ah, the sounds of nature: crickets chirping, the crackle of a bonfire, and stifled moans.

Set up a tent in a secluded area of the campsite (or ha, your backyard), and clear out branches or rocks that can cramp the moment. You’ll have the cover of a tent, but the image of your shadows projecting through provides a thrill.

Make It Hotter: Remember to stash lube in your knapsack (wetter is better), and unzip part of the tent slightly for more air flow. And don’t forget to pack a mattress pad so you don’t have to do it in your sleeping bag (those get grossly sweaty quick).

10. A Single Restroom

If you’re at a hotel, airport (slash on the plane), or restaurant and can’t wait until you get home to have at it, search out a single public bathroom.

You can slip in and out without being seen together. While you have some privacy behind a locked door. It has the element of doing something highly erotic,” she says. Plus, you never know who’s outside the door.

However…public bathrooms are gross, so you’ll have to whip out some gymnastics. Don’t sit on anything (LOL), keep your shoes and as much clothing on as possible (just push your underwear to the side), and try to hold on to each other instead of onto very manhandled walls and door handles.

Make It Hotter: Public restrooms work best for quickies (because, as mentioned, they’re gross and people still need to pee, lady!). So to make things as speedy and sexy as possible, We recommends engaging in some foreplay beforehand, with some seductive taunting and teasing.

If you’re sitting at the dinner table, try grazing your foot against your partner’s leg, or secretively kissing your them while you stand up to give them “a hug.” Then go Get. It. On.