Celebrities Who Bought Homes in Portugal

Which celebrities have invested in luxury real estate in Portugal?

Living in Portugal as an expat offers many benefits, including sunny weather, beautiful beaches, a relatively affordable cost of living, and rich gastronomy. According to the 2025 Global Peace Index, Portugal is the 7^th safest country in the world.

With its booming tourism, large expat communities, and strong rental yields, Portugal luxury real estate continues to attract affluent buyers and celebrities, especially in areas such as Lisbon, Algarve, and Porto.

Several celebrities and famous people have purchased houses for sale in Portugal. They are often drawn to the golden beaches, rugged cliffs, and luxury vineyards that cater to luxury buyers. So, who are the celebrities who own property in Portugal?

Here, we’ve compiled all the popular A-list stars who’ve selected some of the best places to live in Portugal.

Madonna

According to the Medium, Madonna is one of the A-list celebrities who’ve purchased a luxury property in Portugal.

The famous singer reportedly purchased a historic estate called Quinta do Relógio. It is an 18th-century Moorish-revival “palacete” or a small palace located in the mountains of Sintra, a scenic town in the hills just northwest of Lisbon.

Local media stated she purchased the exclusive real estate in Portugal for €7.5 million. Reports describe the estate as a historic home with extensive grounds and architectural character.

Before and after purchasing the Sintra property, Madonna spent time living in Lisbon. Some media outlets claimed she was looking at additional homes in the city.

John Malkovich

An American actor and director owns a traditional Portuguese house in the Alentejo region. His property is located in the small town of Redondo.

Malkovich purchased the property back in the early 2000s. Since then, this renovated period building includes modern features, like a swimming pool and central heating. However, it still maintains its formal flair, such as a courtyard and tiled roof.

This luxury property is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, making it an ideal place to relax.

Monica Bellucci

According to Portugal News, the famous Italian actress Monica Bellucci purchased a property in Lisbon’s historic Castelo neighborhood.

Bellucci bought the property in 2016, when her two children were enrolled at an international school. The property is in a traditional Lisbon building, likely restored.

Bellucci was seen in Lisbon frequently around the time of the purchase, although she has homes in several European cities and doesn’t live in Portugal permanently.

Scarlet Johansson

Scarlett Johansson owns a luxury three-bedroom flat in Lisbon’s Príncipe Real area.

The global icon from the Marvel Cinematic Universe reportedly spent €1.5 million, adding her to the list of celebrities with homes in Portugal.

Príncipe Real is an upscale neighborhood for luxury real estate in Lisbon. The area attracts high-net-worth buyers thanks to its combination of historic charm, modern amenities, main shopping streets, and chic restaurants.

Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender and his wife, Alicia Vikander, purchased property in Lisbon’s Alfama district in 2017. It is one of the city’s oldest and most beautiful neighborhoods.

Some local reports in Portuguese media describe the luxury property as part of a restored historic building with a terrace, river views, and ample living space.

Both actors have spoken about enjoying life in Portugal, with Vikander describing the safe, calm, family-oriented lifestyle when they split time between Lisbon and other cities. They travel frequently for work, but have been living in their Lisbon home for several years.

Sir Cliff Richard

Sir Cliff Richard purchased his first holiday home in Albufeira back in 1961.

According to the Guardian, the British pop singer has owned multiple homes in the Algarve region over the decades.

Richard owned an estate near Guia that included a vineyard and winery, called Adega do Cantor. It was part of a larger property known as Quinta do Miradouro. In 2017, he reportedly put his vineyard for sale in Portugal for around €87.2 million.

Richard owned a separate private home in the Algarve, which was not part of his winery estate. He has spent many summers in his personal villa.

Bonnie Tyler

Bonnie Tyler and her husband, Robert Sullivan, own a five-bedroom house in Portugal’s Albufeira in the Algarve region.

The Welsh singer’s fascination with Portugal — the Algarve in particular — dates back to her first visit in 1976. “I fell in love with the place straight away,” she says.

Tyler stayed with her then-manager, Ronnie Scott, who had a recording studio in his villa at Vilamoura, one of the best places to live in the Algarve. It was there that she recorded her first album. Two years later, she and her property developer husband, Sullivan, bought a villa together in Albufeira, Algarve.

Their summer pleasures include power boating, lunching on clams or prawns with piri-piri chicken and a nice bottle of white wine, and spending the afternoon lying on the beach. Had it not been for her demanding career, Bonnie says she would spend 99 percent of her time here.

Eric Cantona

French former footballer Éric Cantona is said to own property in Lisbon, particularly in the Rato and Príncipe Real neighborhoods.

Cantona invested in real estate in Lisbon. Back in 2017, he and Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly acquired several luxury apartments “off‑plan” properties in a building project on Colina de Sant’Ana, which is now part of the Torel Palace residences development. According to Flash Nacional, this was presented as an investment rather than a simple private home purchase.

Separate from the investment project, he is reported to have had a personal dwelling in Lisbon, living with his family in a rented apartment valued at around €3 million in Rua de São Mamede, in Príncipe Real.

The Portuguese capital attracts many international families seeking luxury living in a house in Portugal. It is also a go-to destination for digital nomads, business experts, and affluent investors who want to find luxury real estate in a booming start-up hub.

Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin owns multiple homes in Portugal. These include real estate in Lisbon and the Alentejo region (Melides).

Louboutin opened a boutique hotel called Vermelho in Melides on the Alentejo coast.

Two years after launching the hotel, Christian Louboutin opened two private luxury villas for holiday rentals. According to Portugal News, the new villas, La Maison des Bateaux and La Salvada, are open for short stays.

La Maison des Bateaux is a 150-square-meter Alentejo-style home in Portugal. It accommodates six guests, features a pool overlooking the nearby rice fields, and has beautiful textiles inspired by Portuguese crafts.

Local estate agents often consider the Alentejo coast a prime location for famous people buying houses in Portugal.

Philippe Starck

Renowned architect Philippe Starck set his sights on Comporta, a quiet rural stretch of beaches an hour’s drive away from Lisbon. The area’s vast natural beauty and quiet isolation have attracted the likes of Princess Caroline and Albert of Monaco, as well as Christian Louboutin.

New public and private projects are being poured into revamping the area, with more beachside developments rumored.

Starck has created artsy spaces in Comporta, experimenting with contemporary interpretations of the region’s unique style, alongside other famous architects like Vincent van Duysen and Manuel Aires Mateus.

Sven‑Göran Eriksson

Sven‑Göran Eriksson, the former England football manager and Benfica coach, was linked to major proposed investment in Algarve, Portugal, real estate.

In 2006, his planned sports and luxury resort in Herdade Corte do Bispo, Bensafrim, Lagos, was declared a Project of Potential National Interest (PIN) by the Portuguese government.

The €50 million development, focused on football and sports training, was designed to include a hotel, sports village, clinic, multiple football pitches, tennis courts, a golf course, and an athletics track, which could potentially create 350 jobs, according to The Resident.

Unfortunately, Eriksson passed away in 2024. However, his project was highlighted for its expected economic benefit rather than personal residency.

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman, who recently separated from her husband, Keith Urban, owns property in Lisbon. In 2023, the former couple purchased a flat in Parque das Nações.

However, more recent media reports claim that the Oscar-winning actress is interested in acquiring yet another home, this time near Comporta. She has shown particular interest in the luxury Costa Terra Golf and Ocean Club area in Melides, a high-end development where other celebrities also own properties.

Kidman has applied for Portuguese residency and was in the country in mid-2025 to begin the process, with media linking her visit to her interest in purchasing a property in Melides.

Even with these properties, her main residence is still widely reported to be in Nashville, Tennessee, and the former couple also owns homes in the United States and Australia.

Christiano Ronaldo

The football superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, owns a mansion in Portugal.

The luxury mansion is located in Quinta da Marinha, Cascais, one of the most prestigious locations of the Portuguese coast.

The mansion is designed to have an infinity pool, eight bedrooms, a private cinema, and underground parking. One of the most striking features of the mansion is the underwater glass walkway, which is highly sought after by luxury investors.

However, Ronaldo owns more than the mansion near Cascais. He has also been reported to own a luxury penthouse in Lisbon.

You can read more about this property in our guide on Ronaldo House in Portugal.

Harry and Meghan Markle

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have reportedly purchased luxury real estate in Portugal.

According to the New York Post, the royal couple bought a $4.7 million luxury holiday home at the high-end CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club in Melides on the Atlantic Coast.

Harry and Megan Markle are said to have snapped up a soon-to-be-built residence in a luxurious resort where famous celebrities are said to already own property there, such as Prince Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie, Paris Hilton, Sharon Stone, and George Clooney.

The property is not meant to be used as a permanent residence, but rather as a holiday retreat.

Other notable celebrities

There are many other celebrities who bought property in Portugal or are considering investing. For example, the global sensation Taylor Swift is reportedly looking to expand her real estate holdings to other European countries, including Portugal.

Other celebrities who bought Portuguese real estate or land include Paris Hilton, George Clooney, and Ronan Keating. In 2024, the business mogul Elon Musk was looking to buy a home in Portugal.

Where can I find luxury real estate in the Algarve?

Where do the rich live in Portugal? The Algarve is a celebrity hotspot, and it’s fairly easy to see why. The Algarve is considered one of the most desirable places to live in Portugal. Portimão and Albufeira are very cosmopolitan and full of life. To enjoy the best casinos and dock your yacht in a wonderful port, you can buy a mansion in Vilamoura. If you are a water sports lover, a rooftop sea view in Sagres is a perfect choice.

Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, and Vilamoura — the so-called Golden Triangle of the Algarve — are among the most sought-after resorts by foreigners looking for luxurious and comfortable homes. Tavira, a symbol of the Mediterranean Diet UNESCO heritage, is more famous among the Portuguese, but its high-end real estate market is ripe. The entire region is full of golf courses and luxury resorts ready to offer expats unforgettable experiences.

Comporta and Melides, to the south of Lisbon, have also become two of the most desirable destinations for high-net-worth individuals and celebrities in Europe. The areas are renowned for their luxury lifestyle, exclusivity, and privacy.

Where can I find luxury real estate in Lisbon?

Luxury homes in and around Lisbon tend to be in the most prestigious districts and nearby coastal towns. Some of the prime areas for high-end properties include:

• Cascais and Estoril are often considered some of the most prestigious and high-value residential areas near Lisbon. They’re part of the famed Portuguese Riviera, known for beaches, ocean views, historic mansions, modern villas, and premium lifestyle living. Here, the average asking price for luxury property stands at about €16,008 per square meter.
• Parque das Nações is one of the city’s modern and desirable residential areas. It offers premium amenities with river views, with average asking prices for exclusive properties at €15,320 per square meter.
• Belém is one of the city’s most prestigious residential areas with riverside living. High-end housing options have an average asking price of €10,661 per square meter.
• Misericórdia is one of the central prime areas in the city where you can find high-end homes like historic palaces, large luxury apartments, and renovated designer real estate. The average asking price in Misericórdia for exclusive properties is €13,705 per square meter.
• Alcântara has become one of Lisbon’s most dynamic and sought-after neighborhoods, especially for modern luxury living along the river and in stylish residential developments. Large detached villas and luxury houses often come at €9,544 per square meter.
• Príncipe Real is a high-end neighborhood with historic charm and modern finishes. It is well-known for its renovated 19th-century buildings, penthouses, small palaces, and new builds.

Is Portugal a good country to invest in luxury real estate?

Yes, Portugal is widely considered a strong country to invest in luxury real estate. Portugal is particularly popular with international buyers seeking lifestyle value, capital growth, and exposure to a high-demand market.

According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report in 2025, some property buyers are particularly interested in land used for vineyards and carbon sequestration projects, which often fall within the luxury property segment.

Although the property market in the Portuguese capital is classified as a “small market,” it offers exceptional returns. Vilamoura, Lagos, and Faro, Portugal, real estate in the Algarve also have excellent investment potential.

Areas like Comporta and Melides are attracting wealthy buyers with stunning properties that mix traditional Portuguese style with modern design. Porto, the country’s second-biggest city, is also gaining popularity for its vibrant cultural scene, historic architecture, and growing luxury property market.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You

If you want to find your dream property in Portugal, a buyer’s agent like Goldcrest can research the real estate market, negotiate prices, and simplify the entire purchasing process. We are a property investment firm situated in Portugal and offer property management services for long-term rentals.

Our team of buyer’s agents can introduce you to local tax advisors, contractors, property surveyors, and Portugal real estate lawyers. Whether you want to purchase a holiday home or a permanent residence, our team provides access to off-market properties and the latest market trends in Portugal.

Contact us today and find out just how much you can save on your international investment.