Data shows waterfall and natural areas top the charts for couples’ most desired intimate locations
Key Findings:
- Study compiled a list of global hotspots sexually adventurous couples might add to their intimate bucket lists, ranked by reviews and ratings
- US locations dominate the list with Niagara Falls taking the top spot, while China’s Great Wall ranks third
- Sex and relationship expert warns that while these spots might fuel fantasies, travellers should always prioritise legality, privacy, and safety
Adventure takes many forms when it comes to travel, and for some couples, the thrill of intimate encounters in exotic or unusual settings adds an extra spark to their relationships. While getting frisky in public places carries legal risks in most countries, couples still enjoy fantasising about where they might add some spice to their travels.
“There’s something undeniably exciting about the fantasy of being intimate in extraordinary places around the world,” says Anita Fletcher, sex and relationship expert at Fantasy Co.. “While we’d never encourage anyone to break local laws, we wanted to explore which global locations spark the most romantic imaginations.”
To satisfy this curiosity, Fantasy Co. compiled a list of global locations that frequently appear in travel blogs and online discussions about romantic or adventurous getaways. The team selected spots based on their natural beauty, relative privacy, romantic appeal, and mentions in travel media as potentially exciting locations.
They then calculated a “Bucket List Score” on a 100-point scale, using visitor ratings and review data from TripAdvisor and Google Maps to rank which spots might feature most prominently in couples’ wildest fantasies.
Table: Top 10 Bucket List Sex Spots
| Rank | Location Name | Country | Type of Spot | Bucket List Score |
| 1 | Niagara Falls | USA | Waterfall | 80.37 |
| 2 | Red Rock Canyon | USA | Natural conservation area | 74.12 |
| 3 | Great Wall | China | Guard Tower | 74.03 |
| 4 | Wrigley Field | USA | Stadium | 63.28 |
| 5 | Reykjavik northern lights | Iceland | Natural Trail | 61.44 |
| 6 | Tuscany open vineyard | Italy | Vineyard | 53.96 |
| 7 | Andes Mountains | USA | Mountain | 52.59 |
| 8 | Manuel Antonio | Costa Rica | Beach | 51.96 |
| 9 | Doonagore Castle | Ireland | Castle | 50.86 |
| 10 | Amsterdam deserted wellness resort | Netherlands | Resort | 50.40 |
Nature Calls: Why Natural Settings Dominate Fantasies
With a remarkable Bucket List Score of 80.37, Niagara Falls claims the top spot as the most fantasy-inducing location for adventurous couples. The combination of roaring waters, misty air, and natural beauty has clearly captured the imagination of visitors, earning it perfect 5-star ratings on TripAdvisor and 4.8 stars on Google Maps from over 126,000 reviewers.
“The appeal of Niagara Falls isn’t surprising,” notes Fletcher. “Water is associated with passion and sensuality in many cultures. The thundering falls create natural white noise that provide a sense of privacy, though I should stress that actual intimate encounters there would be both illegal and potentially dangerous.”
Coming in second place with a 74.12 score, Red Rock Canyon in the USA represents another natural wonder that sparks romantic imagination. Despite having fewer Google reviews (just 621) compared to other locations, it maintains an impressive 4.8-star Google rating and has over 26,000 TripAdvisor reviews, suggesting its stark desert beauty and secluded areas fuel fantasies of passionate encounters under the stars.
The Great Wall of China ranks third with a score of 74.03, nearly tied with Red Rock Canyon. As the only Asian location in the top ten, its guard towers specifically were identified in the research as fantasy spots. With 18,141 Google reviews and 24,411 TripAdvisor reviews, the historical monument’s allure goes beyond its cultural significance to include its remote sections and breathtaking views.
Sports, Lights, and Castles: Diverse Fantasy Settings
More urban settings also made the list, with Chicago’s Wrigley Field baseball stadium scoring 63.28 and ranking fourth overall. The iconic American sports venue boasts 32,080 Google reviews with a 4.8-star rating, suggesting that the thrill of America’s favourite pastime extends to other types of excitement in visitors’ imaginations.
The northern lights in Reykjavik, Iceland, took fifth place with a 61.44 score. The magical light display creates a romantic backdrop that has earned 4.5 stars on TripAdvisor from over 17,000 reviewers, making it the highest-ranked European location on the list.
Anita Fletcher, a sex and relationship expert at Fantasy Co., commented:
“While these locations might fuel our wildest fantasies, it’s important to remember that actual public intimacy can have serious legal consequences in most countries. What makes these spots so appealing in our imaginations is their beauty, remoteness, or the thrill they represent – not their suitability for real encounters.
“That said, what’s interesting about this data is how natural settings dominate the list. When we fantasise about intimate adventures, we’re often drawn to places that connect us with nature’s raw beauty. There’s something primal about that connection that adds to our romantic imaginations.
“For couples looking to spice up their relationships, these fantasies can be healthy conversation starters. Discussing what appeals about these locations – the privacy, the beauty, the thrill – can help partners understand each other’s desires better, even if they never act on the public aspect of these scenarios.”
