Celebrities Who Bought Homes in Portugal

 

We know that Portugal is a trending destination and is becoming a magnet for talented personalities, who are quick to buy luxury real estate properties in Portugal. Here’s what you need to know about celebrities who bought homes in Portugal, the celebrities who live in Portugal (or have done so in the past), and where the rich live in Portugal.

With premium properties in many locations – including Lisbon, the Algarve, and Comporta – it is perhaps no surprise that the country has a significant celebrity interest. If you would like to learn more about the different locations where you can find the most exclusive postcodes in Portugal, you can get in touch with a Goldcrest advisor, who can provide you with insider knowledge and expertise on where to buy.

Which celebrities have invested in luxury real estate in Portugal?

Living in Portugal as an expat is the reality of many international, including the rich and famous. Many world-famous celebrities have a home in Portugal. They recognize Portugal for its:

• Sunny weather
• Peaceful and safe lifestyle
• Rich gastronomy scene
• Hip cultural life
• Beautiful beaches
• Safety, with Portugal ranking in 7th position in the Global Peace Index
• Relatively affordable cost of living

All these factors influence the arrival of foreign artists to purchase luxury real estate in Portugal, especially in the areas of Lisbon and the Algarve.

There are already several celebrities living in Portugal and famous people buying houses for sale in Portugal – making something out of their investment in this peaceful and culturally rich European corner.

So, who are the celebrities who own property in Portugal? Or the celebrities who live in Portugal? (or have done so in the past). Here, we have compiled a list of popular A-list stars who’ve selected some of the best places to live in Portugal.

Madonna

Quinta do Relógio, translated directly as Clock Farm, was snapped up by pop singer Madonna for 7.5 million euros back in 2017, according to the local news site SintraNotícias. The luxury property is located in Sintra, a mountain town in Portugal, a short 30-minute drive from Lisbon.

Before buying the property in Portugal, the artist was staying at the Pestana Palace, a luxury hotel in the Alcântara area in Lisbon, and later at the famous Ramalhete Palace, one of the best examples of luxury real estate in Portugal.

The Quinta do Relógio dates back to the 18th century and was designed by the architect António Manuel da Fonseca Jr., who built the palace in a neo-Arabic style. This luxury real estate pearl is still considered one of the most important monuments in the neo-Arabic style and was classified in 1997 as a property of public interest. It is included in the Cultural Landscape of Sintra (UNESCO World Heritage).

John Malkovich

John Malkovich’s ties to Portugal run deep. He has invested in everything, from film development to investing in the Lux Club, a sprawling luxury nightclub situated by the River Tagus. He has also invested in the hospitality industry and owns Bica do Sapato, a hip restaurant hotspot in Lisbon.

Monica Bellucci

Monica Bellucci selected a property located at Largo do Contador-Mor, in the former palace of the Counts of Vimieiro. The three-story house was decorated with the help of Italian architects and interior designers. The palace was restored by the famous pair of Portuguese architects, Aires Mateus.

Scarlet Johansson

Lisbon is also a hotspot for luxury real estate property hunters, including Scarlett Johansson. The Lost In Translation actress bought a three-bedroom flat in a renovated period building in the upscale Príncipe Real neighborhood. Local estate agents say the bolthole wouldn’t have sold for less than €1.5m. When she’s in town, Johansson can enjoy the company of fellow A-lister Michael Fassbender, who bought a €1.7m pad overlooking the River Tagus back in 2019.

Alicia Vikander and Michael Fassbender

The Oscar-winning actress Alicia Vikander revealed that she and her husband, Michael Fassbender, decided to settle down in Lisbon. While both actors will inevitably spend months on the road, it seems a fitting middle ground, given that Vikander grew up in Sweden and Fassbender in Ireland. Vikander also stated to Vogue magazine that the city is very “Williamsburg-ish.” She’s right—much like in the now-infamous Brooklyn neighborhood, Lisbon’s old industrial spaces have been remade into chic restaurants and shops. Of course, Lisbon has been around the block for a while, way longer than Williamsburg, so the type of history that the capital offers is incomparable.

Sir Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard built a magnificent Portuguese country home in the traditional style in the Algarve, which is now up for sale. Before living there, he owned a small villa on the cliff-top near Albufeira and has been visiting the Algarve since the late 1960s. Even after selling, he plans to continue spending time in the Algarve because he still loves this gorgeous part of the world.

Bonnie Tyler

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler’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.

The Welsh songstress 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, Robert Sullivan — who happens to also be a black-belt European judo champion — 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

The former Manchester United footballer and now an actor summed up that “all that [he likes] is gathered here in Lisbon.” Asked by Time Out magazine about the French cuisine restaurants in the Portuguese capital, the Frenchman confirmed he doesn’t go to them. He said, “I prefer the Portuguese…[in particular this] one in Baixa (Lisbon)”. While he doesn’t recall the name of the restaurant, he described it as having “fish… with huge hams hanging.”

As for Portuguese gastronomy? “I eat everything here”, stated Cantona, adding that “the wine here in Portugal is very, very good…[especially the] Barca Velha 2004. It stays in the barrel for eight or nine years, and then they try it. If it’s not good, they don’t bottle it. If it’s good, they bottle it, ”he said, revealing that he was already well informed about Portuguese winemaking.

Christian Louboutin

French fashion designer Christian Louboutin, who was the one who convinced Monica Bellucci to come to Portugal, settled in Largo dos Lóios in a magnificent palace that belonged to the Formosinho Sanches family. This area of Lisbon has, for many years, sparked the passion of the shoe designer, who was a frequent client of Palácio Belmonte, a historic hotel next to the walls of the Castle of São Jorge overlooking Lisbon’s hills. Christian Louboutin spends many seasons in Portugal between his homes in Melides, in the Alentejo, and the palace in Lisbon, despite maintaining his base in Paris.

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, along with 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, trying his hand at contemporary interpretations of Comporta’s unique style, along with other famous architects like Vincent van Duysen and Manuel Aires Mateus.

Sven-Goran Eriksson

Popular Swedish soccer coach Sven-Göran Eriksson might be a busy man, but he does have time to maintain his property in one of the best places to live in Portugal. The coach has worked in nine countries and has an impressive international career that started at Benfica. “I always try to go to Portugal once or twice a year. It is a fantastic country”, he stated to the Portuguese newspaper Sol.

 

Where can I find luxury real estate in the Algarve?

Where do the rich live in Portugal? Many celebrities in Portugal favor the Algarve, and it’s fairly easy to see why – indeed, the Algarve is considered one of the most desirable places to live in Portugal. Portimão and Albufeira are very cosmopolitan and full of life both day and night. To enjoy the best casinos and dock your yacht in a wonderful port, 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 Almanac — the so-called Golden Triangle of the Algarve — are increasingly sought after 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.

Where can I find luxury real estate in Lisbon?

The highest prices are found in the Santo António district—home to some of Lisbon’s most famous landmarks, including Marquis of Pombal Square and Avenida da Liberdade. The average asking price for property in Santa António now stands at an average of €8,117 per square meter, although luxury properties will be significantly more.

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

Investors are turning to luxury real estate rather than other asset classes at the moment, especially in dynamic cities like Lisbon. Although the property market in the Portuguese capital is classified as a “small market,” it offers exceptional returns. Places like Vilamoura, Lagos, and Faro in the Algarve also have exceptional investment potential.

Comporta and Melides, where you’ll find exceptional properties that brilliantly merge local architecture with the latest modern designs, are also on the radar of the rich and famous, while Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, is also experiencing a burst of interest, ranking as one of the top ten locations for luxury properties on a global scale in 2023, alongside the Algarve.

Luxury real estate in Lisbon

In Portugal, there are no restrictions on international ownership. Many luxury real estate Lisbon investors hail from Britain, France, and Germany. Compared to other European capitals, real estate prices offer good value and transition fees are generally low. The most in-demand neighborhoods are in the historic central area, which has a limited housing supply.

Get in touch

If you have found your dream property in Portugal, seek help from a specialized property investment firm such as Goldcrest. As an independent local’s buyers agent, Goldcrest helps international families acquire sound property investments in their desired locations in Portugal.

Contact the team to access exclusive information on the property market in Portugal and find out just how much you can save on your international investment.