Let’s be real: The Vampire Diaries isn’t just about brooding vampires, forbidden love triangles, and dramatic stare-downs that make you clutch your chest—it’s also insanely hot. Over eight seasons, we’ve witnessed enough steamy hookups, tortured love, and messy sexual tension to fill a coffin… and then some. From the first spark between Stefan and Elena to the chaotic heat of cross-species hookups, this show knows how to turn us on.
We covered the hottest scenes in The Girlfriend and ranked every single sex scene in Girls, so now we’re heading to Mystic Falls. Buckle up, grab a damp towel, and get ready for our ranking of the 16 sexiest scenes in The Vampire Diaries. The bruises and bitemarks are always, always worth it in this case.
The Sexiest Scenes in The Vampire Diaries, Ranked
16. Damon And Elena’s Mom, No Really (Season 1, Episode 21)
I like to pretend this plotline isn’t canon, because it makes everything that follows feel… a little ick. But the scene is undeniably hot, so it earns a spot on the list. Before Damon (Ian Somerhalder) ever knew Elena existed, he kinda had a thing with her mom, Isobel (Mia Kirshner). Their dynamic is pure dark banter and power play; she actually manages to keep up with him, which is basically foreplay in Damon-speak. Then they kiss—deep, dangerous, a little wrong—and just when you’re catching your breath, he flips the script and gets rough. Oof.
15. Wood Frolicking!! (Season 4, Episode 2)
So, Stefan (Paul Wesley) might not be as obsessed with vampire Elena (Nina Dobrev) as Damon (or, let’s be honest, the rest of us), but they do have one tantalizing moment. It’s giving “student hot for teacher” energy as Stefan tries to show her the ropes of vampire life. Things start getting steamy, and we’re all mentally preparing for some hot vamp sex… until Elena abruptly bolts to go puke. #MoodKiller
14. Jealousy, Jealousy (Season 3, Episode 1)
Arguing is basically foreplay in The CW universe. Caroline (Candice King) gets jealous that Tyler (Michael Trevino) brought someone else to a party, they start fighting, and next thing you know, they’re kissing. He drops a “Let’s get out of here,” and suddenly they’re making out, undressing on the way. Her dress comes off, he’s tugging her hair, she’s moaning—it’s chaotic, it’s hot, it’s peak CW. A good one, folks.
13. Bathtub Baby (Season 3, Episode 1)
I know there’s no actual sex in this scene, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t belong here. Damon’s in the bath, splish-splashing like a sexy little menace, when he runs out of champagne and gets up—completely naked, dripping in suds—to grab another bottle. Naturally, Elena walks in and catches him mid-soap. Those soapy abs alone earn this a spot on the list. My only complaint? The camera could’ve panned out just a bit more… for research purposes.
12. Return To Old Habits (Season 2, Episode 11)
Katherine (Nina Dobrev) is ridiculously hot, so obviously any sex scene with her in The Vampire Diaries earns a spot on this list. Stefan gets trapped in a tomb with his ex (who also happens to be his brother’s ex—yikes), and we do love a little forced proximity moment. The tension builds until they finally give in and go at it against the wall… or so it seems. Turns out Katherine was just messing with Stefan’s dreams, but honestly? I’ll still take it.
11. Dance And Dine (Season 4, Episode 4)
And just like that, Elena is a vampire!! Somehow, she gets so much hotter—let’s be real, human Elena was kind of a whiny mess. The duo hits a Halloween-themed college dorm rave, surrounded by slutty nurses and horny pirates, all while “Feel So Close” blasts in the background. They’re drinking and dancing the night away, and the sexual tension is overwhelming us all. Honestly, it makes me feel like I’m back in college too… I was a biter, I get it.
10. Rejection To Ejection (Season 4, Episode 13)
Rebekah (Claire Holt) is way too gorgeous to be rejected—but that’s exactly what happens at the Mikaelson Ball when Matt Donovan (Zach Roerig) turns her down. (Another reason to hate him, obviously.) Luckily, Damon swoops in and gives her all the attention she’s craving. It’s giving full-on enemies-to-lovers, and I am so here for it. Also, sex between an Original and a vampire? A lesson in physics.
9. The Vamp And The Wolf Do It (Season 4, Episode 16)
The tryst that literally sparks an entire spinoff, can you believe it? First, there’s intense eye contact and some talk-as-foreplay, then things get very real. “You like to be in control, you told me,” Hayley (Phoebe Tonkin) says to Klaus (Joseph Morgan), and honestly, an entire population of women and men collectively came. It’s rough, it’s hard, it’s ridiculously satisfying… for everyone involved. And successful too, since Hayley ends up pregnant with a lil hybrid.
8. Extra Credit Assignment (Season 5, Episode 17)
There’s something about fantasy sex scenes. Sure, it’s frustrating to get so far only to realize it’s all in someone’s head—but also, why are they always SO.MUCH.BETTER? Case in point: newly broken-up Damon and Elena are stuck at Jeremy’s open house. He whispers that he wants to throw her in a classroom and kiss her everywhere… and Elena imagines exactly that. UGH, the mental foreplay is next-level.
7. Let It Gooo (Season 6, Episode 17)
I am a full-on Caroline defender, and this scene proves why. Watching her hold her ground against Stefan? So hot. He’s trying to push her, break through her willpower, and she does not back down. Eventually, they give in, letting go of control, and it’s rough, messy, and absolutely delicious. He even lifts her up at one point… and then the camera cuts away far too soon. Ugh, tease.
6. At The Motel (Season 3, Episode 19)
Elena and Stefan are on a break—because, lowkey, she’s crushing on his brother. Sharing a motel room, there’s some intense eye-fucking energy. No words are exchanged, then Damon casually hops onto the bed, arm behind his head in that infuriatingly hot way. They’re so close… but not that close. Finally, they actually talk, and it’s intimate as hell, even fully clothed; their hands brushing, the tension insane. And, of course, it ends with a balcony makeout. Ugh, the draw is unreal.
5. Three Cooks In The Bed (Season 4, Episode 13)
There are two things I live for: hate sex and threesomes. So when you combine the two? Obviously, it’s making the list of best The Vampire Diaries sex scenes. Rebekah and Damon go at it while Sage (Cassidy Freeman) watches, and he drops the line: “I don’t want her, I want you.” Then it moves offscreen for a full-on threesome with vampire Sage. Once again, I curse the producers for keeping this magic off camera.
4. Should’ve Been Endgame (Season 5, Episode 11)
I refuse to move on from Klaus and Caroline. This scene is one of many reasons they should’ve been endgame. They meet in the woods, he says her name in that crisp British accent, and after a looooot of talking, she kisses him. He pushes her against a tree—I’m realizing that push is peak vampire flex. She’s half-undressed, they’re going at it, and it’s absolutely delightful. Later, she’s picking leaves out of her hair, and honestly, I’m still not over it.
3. The Very First Time (Season 1, Episode 10)
I may be a Damon girlie (I like ’em narcissistic, as my track record shows), but even I can admit this was an excellent first-time sexcapade for a TV couple. Elena and Stefan have been stuck in the whole “I’m a vampire, you’re human, this can’t work” debate, and finally… they let go. Elena confesses she loves him, they make out, then move inside to kiss against the wall. It’s very panty-and-moans-level, and honestly, we’re here for it.
2. Breakup Sex (Season 5, Episode 16)
Damon literally calls them a “toxic relationship.” They try to break up, fully aware they’re so bad for each other. Damon tells Elena, “Stop loving me,” and she’s like, nope, can’t do it. Clothes are ripped, bodies tumble onto the bed, the camera angles are dramatic as hell… and of course, they engage in the age-old tradition of breakup sex.
1. Kiss Me PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE (Season 4, Episode 7)
We got Stefan and Elena in Season 1, but it took until SEASON 4 for her to get it on with his brother?! Our vamp girlie is down in the dumps—everyone’s hating on her—but Damon’s in her corner. They dance as “Kiss Me” by Ed Sheeran plays. One twirl turns into a kiss, the kiss turns into a full-on snog. Furniture gets broken, clothes ripped, and hot vamp sex ensues. Bonus points for a girl-on-top moment, because my weak thighs would never… 10/10, would purchase again.
