With eight- and nine-figure price tags guaranteed to make your jaw drop, the world's most costly residential properties are the ultimate billionaire playgrounds – mere millionaires need not apply.
From a Mediterranean palace the size of a football pitch to an Armani-designed penthouse in Dubai, click or scroll on to feast your eyes on the most expensive homes that money can buy...
*Prices and sale status correct at the time of publishing.
Switzerland is known for its sky-high property prices, so it's no surprise that the European country is home to some of the world's most exclusive real estate.
Château de Merlinge, which was listed for sale for £51 million ($63m) in December 2024 with JamesEdition, is a particularly remarkable mansion. Located in Meinier, a quaint town on the banks of Lake Geneva, the historic estate was once the home of an Italian queen.
The acreage began life as a compound of six agricultural buildings in the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, it was reimagined as a fortified house and served as a refuge for those prosecuted during the Protestant Reformation. Château de Merlinge as we see it today was established in 1625 and accommodated nobility and royalty over the centuries.
While the estate has been updated for modern living, its interiors are still steeped in its remarkable history. This magnificent hall features chequered marble floors, a breathtaking wall fresco, intricate ceiling mouldings and antique furnishings.
In the dining room, a whitewashed beamed ceiling frames exquisite pink-striped walls, handsome wood floors and a beautiful original hearth.
The main home has over 16,000 square feet (1,486sqm) of living space, including eight bedrooms and eight bathrooms. Along with the dining room, other standout spaces include the charming library and games room.
Careful attention has been given to the mansion's historic structure, with renovations balancing modern amenities and finishes with the property's heritage character.
Nestled in the grounds, there are breathtaking French-style gardens, numerous pavilions, an orangery, a 79-foot (24m) swimming pool and a large terrace for alfresco dining.
The grounds offer two outbuildings that contain staff accommodation, stables, a gym and garages. Additionally, there's an 18th-century chapel and an operational farm and vineyard elsewhere on the estate, expanding the potential for this unique, historic property.
Known as Villa Versailles, this spectacular home in the Ticino region of Switzerland is located in what the listing describes as the “most exclusive area” of Lugano and offers breathtaking views across the lake.
The 16,328-square-foot (1,516sqm) property boasts six bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, as well as spectacular manicured gardens, patios and terraces. Designed for entertaining on a spectacular scale, this magnificent home is built to impress even the most discerning guests.
The Greek Revival-style property has a classical exterior with two tiers of white columns, large windows and even a rotunda overlooking the back gardens and the lake.
Inside, the property is more reminiscent of a French château, with a sweeping grand staircase, polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, moulded walls and coffered ceilings.
The neoclassical touches continue inside, with crystal chandeliers, gilded panelling and fine antique furniture running throughout the communal spaces, which include an opulent living room, formal dining room, lounge and chef’s kitchen.
Guests and residents can traverse the ground floor through column-lined hallways, reminiscent of those in a library or museum, which add a heightened sense of grandeur to the home.
The home’s listing provides little information about the property’s amenities and indicates that the price is only available on request, indicating that the target audience for the listing is an elite subsection of potential buyers. We do know that it was previously listed at £53 million ($66m), however, Sotheby's International Realty will be happy to disclose the most up-to-date sum upon application.
Sandwiched in as it is between Switzerland and Italy, the home’s Lugano lakeside location is unquestionably sought after.
It's easy to see why this extraordinary estate is one of the most expensive properties in Europe. Standing close to the beautiful Upper Moselle River, Gestüt Peterhof is home to a world-renowned dressage stable and stud farm.
The lavish facility hosted the qualifiers for the 2016 Rio Olympics and is home to the three-time World Championship-winning stallion, Sezuan. But, as you'll see, it's also a luxury residence in its own right.
For sale with Unicorn Real Estate Luxembourg for a cool €65 million (£54m/$67m), let's saddle up and take a tour...
While the 74-acre (30ha) estate can accommodate 38 horses in gleaming stables, Gestüt Peterhof's human residents haven't been forgotten.
The refined two-storey clubhouse includes an 80-seat restaurant, two catering kitchens, several VIP lounges, two fireplaces and four terraces. We can only imagine the glitzy parties a lucky buyer could hold here.
The imposing Baroque-inspired main house, a manager's house and five additional guest cottages have 14 bedrooms in total, all decorated to a high standard.
Unsurprisingly, the décor is distinctly equestrian-themed, with horse sculptures, paintings and photos adorning almost every room – and it's all included in the sale, along with all the furniture, appliances and even the farm machinery.
Of course, the real attraction of this incredible estate is the plethora of world-class equestrian facilities. Not only is there this Olympic-standard dressage arena but there's also an indoor arena, lunging ring and an all-weather gallops, as well as the most beautiful tack room you've ever seen decorated by Ralph Lauren Home.
However, we think the cherry on the cake is the equine wellness centre, which has an aqua-trainer, spa and an infrared heat cabin that provides inhalation treatments. Forget the horses, where do we check in?
Encompassing more than 1.3 acres (0.5ha) of land on the Spanish island of Mallorca, this estate resembles a luxury private village filled with all the amenities a billionaire buyer could ask for. As you can see from this aerial shot, the acreage includes a sports court, swimming pool, numerous guesthouses and meandering tropical gardens, plus there's even a chapel.
The one-of-a-kind property was listed with JamesEdition for €75 million (£63m/$78m).
The estate has a total of six fincas – or farmhouse-style homes – however, three are currently under construction. The completion date for the remaining houses has been set for summer 2025.
Old meets new, this completed home merges the region's traditional stone architecture and clay roof tiles with swathes of floor-to-ceiling glass. Tropical planting and cacti gardens frame the exterior of the property.
There's a total of 29 bathrooms and 32 bathrooms across the estate, so there's more than enough room for a moneyed buyer to host friends and family.
The interior spaces are refined and luxurious, embracing natural materials from the local area and further afield. Woven ceiling tiles, plaster walls and salvaged metal light fittings impart texture to this open, airy living room.
Pictured here is the state-of-the-art gym, which offers rows of high-end training equipment set within a stylish, industrial space defined by exposed brick and ductwork. Other bonuses for fitness enthusiasts include the spa, wellness centre and Jacuzzi.
Perhaps the estate's most surprising feature, however, is the alpaca farm and paddock!
From the sky, this daring mansion looks like a work of art with its angular, bisecting lines and abstract shapes.
The architectural estate is located on Schwanenwerder, a scenic island in southwestern Berlin. Combining the best of waterfront living with proximity to the city, a jetty and slipway situated on the property's private stretch of waterfront offers easy access to nearby Potsdam, while Berlin is around 45 minutes away by road.
On the market for €80 million – around £67 million ($83m) – with Christie's International Real Estate as of February 2025, the mansion is one of Berlin's most futuristic homes.
The building encompasses several cantilevering white blocks, some with turf-clad roofs that camouflage it from above. Dense woodland encircles the property, offering a secluded retreat tucked away from prying eyes.
The estate has a total of 16,038 square feet (1,490sqm) of living space spread across two buildings, including nine bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
The interior is minimalist in design. Crisp white walls, clean lines and stretches of glass create peaceful, light-filled spaces that allow the waterfront views to take centre stage.
However, the outlook is at its most impressive on the glass-lined main deck. Here, alfresco living and dining areas and a 67-foot-long (20m) swimming pool face out across the tranquil lake.
A private, rural oasis, Schwanenwerder has long been a favourite with Berlin's wealthy, from business moguls to politicians and bankers, and a number of large homes line the isle's single road.
Described as the crown of one of London's most exclusive developments, the penthouse apartment of Clarges in Mayfair is among the city's most prestigious listings.
The complex sits across the road from Green Park and is a stone's throw away from iconic London establishments including the Ritz and a number of top members' clubs.
Listed for £100 million ($124m) with Sotheby's International Realty, the penthouse offers 7,868 square feet (731sqm) of impeccably designed living space across three floors. On the ninth floor, there's a magnificent eat-in kitchen featuring a marble island, lacquered cabinetry and a pantry. There's also two reception rooms that can be combined into one via sliding doors, ideal for hosting events.
A rarity in the space-starved UK capital, there's 2,775-square-foot (856sqm) of outdoor space. On the same level as the reception rooms, a beautiful wraparound terrace provides additional space for entertaining.
The home's six ensuite bedrooms are located on the eighth floor below the main living spaces. The height of luxury, the master bedroom suite includes a beautiful bathroom clad in white and grey veined marble, as well as a large walk-in wardrobe.
No element of the penthouse has been overlooked. The three floors are connected by an architectural staircase featuring marble treads, gilded handrails and glass balustrades.
A spectacular roof terrace is located on the top floor of the home. Offering a dining area and an outdoor lounge with a firepit, the space has breathtaking views over the tree canopy of Green Park, as well as the city skyline.
In addition, the Clarges development offers an array of high-end amenities for its residents, from a private spa, sauna, steam room and 82-foot-long (25m) swimming pool to a private movie theatre.
Known as Palais Vénitien, this fabulous estate is located moments from the enticing coastline of Cannes, a glistening resort town on the French Riviera, famed for its international film festival.
Listed with Knight Frank for €120 million (£100m/$125m), the pad was recently redesigned by the interior experts at COGEMAD, resulting in dramatic living spaces overflowing with high-end fixtures.
The historic estate is one of the finest in the region and its impressive interior stretches a staggering 32,291 square feet (3,000sqm). Every single room is lavish beyond belief. There are eight sprawling formal living areas, multiple dining spaces and sleeping quarters.
There are a total of nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, as well as a seriously huge kitchen that could have been plucked from a top restaurant.
From monumental columns and exquisite mouldings to gilded Venetian details and crystal chandeliers, this mansion reflects the very best of traditional French design.
There are plenty of modern elements in the home too. For example, the enormous luxurious basement rivals a nightclub, with its dancefloor, bar, velvet seating and professional lighting.
Outside, the grounds are just as magical. The garden is home to almost six acres (2.4ha) of terraced grounds that have been meticulously crafted.
There's also a huge swimming pool, a sunbathing deck, a tennis court, a lake and secluded woodland. How's that for awe-inspiring?
This eye-catching building is the Armani Beach Residences on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai's prestigious palm-shaped archipelago. Designed by Tadao Ando, the ultra-luxurious property is spread over nine storeys and houses 60 apartments, all of which have panoramic views of the sea and will be decorated by Armani Casa Interior Design Studio.
While it's due to be completed in 2026, its stunning presidential penthouse apartment is already for sale with Sotheby's International Realty for AED 482.5 million (£106m/$131m).
The contemporary yet elegant 43,830-square-foot (4,071sqm) penthouse has five bedrooms, seven bathrooms and a gourmet kitchen, which is – as you'd expect – full of all the very latest appliances.
The listing describes the home as "a slice of tranquil luxury" and, with its neutral colour palette, flowing architecture and enormous windows, we couldn't agree more.
As the very best address in the building, the apartment comes with a large roof terrace with its own pool and Jacuzzi, as well as an alfresco dining area and breathtaking views over the Arabian Gulf and Dubai's distinctive skyline.
And there's much more to discover in the rest of the residence...
The building's high-end homeowners will have the use of an exclusive private beach (with lounger service, naturally), a contemplation courtyard designed by Tadao Ando, a luxury spa with a sauna and ice bath, an indoor pool, a movie theatre and an impressive infinity swimming pool.
As there are very few plots yet to be developed on Jumeirah Palm, the Armani Beach Residences will be one of the very last projects to be built on the archipelago, making it all the more special.
Perched on an elevated ridge in the heart of Beverly Hills, the Angelo Estate is a landmark modern home constructed in 2012. The architectural masterpiece was designed by the late influential architect Ed Tuttle and has been lauded as one of the greatest estates in America.
The mansion occupies a six-acre (2.4ha) gated plot guarded by towering hedges. A long, meandering driveway leads to the home's entrance, which features parking for up to 100 cars.
Glass, steel and limestone define the home's dramatic, streamlined exterior, which has been compared to a museum.
Inside, the grand foyer is one of the mansion's most magnificent rooms. Crowned with a glass atrium reminiscent of the Louvre's glazed pyramid entrance, light pours down into the cavernous space. White oak clads the walls and the undersides of the dual staircases, which meet in perfect symmetry in the centre of the room.
The 50,000-square-foot (4,645sqm) house has a total of 16 bedrooms and 27 bathrooms spread across the main mansion, a two-bedroom guest house and an additional guest apartment. The living spaces are kept at a comfortable temperature thanks to a geothermal cooling and heating system and solar panels.
The home was originally constructed for Hyatt hotel heir Tony Pritzker and his philanthropist ex-wife Jeanne Pritzker. At the end of 2024 in the wake of the couple's divorce, the mansion hit the market for $195 million (£158m) with the Westside Estate Agency.
Brimming with amenities, the home has a movie theatre, games room, bowling alley, wellness centre and gym. Outside, the list continues in the beautifully landscaped grounds, which contain a tennis court, outdoor kitchen, manicured gardens and a marble-tiled infinity pool with views of the Los Angeles skyline.
Unsurprisingly, security is extremely tight at the estate – there's a state-of-the-art surveillance system in place and a dedicated security room.
Encircled by the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Mexico, Gordon Pointe is a one-of-a-kind estate on the coast of Florida near the city of Naples. The property includes a main house and one guest house on a large nine-acre (3.6ha) plot. With plenty of space for further development, the realtors suggest more homes could be constructed to create the ultimate family compound.
Previously listed for $295 million (£240m), which made it the most expensive home for sale in the US at the time, it's since had a price cut to $210 million (£171m).
On the market with Coldwell Banker, the listing describes the property as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a private oasis". However, it's worth noting that the home shown here is an illustration, which gives an idea of what the existing properties could look like after a remodel. So why is it so expensive? The answer is – of course – location, location, location.
The compound occupies an especially scenic stretch of coastline in one of America's most expensive areas to buy a home. The lot includes 723 feet (220m) of white-sand beach, along with 218 feet (66m) of waterfront.
Pictured here is what the existing guesthouse actually looks like, with its yellow stucco, columns and arches.
In total, Gordon Pointe offers 17,106 square feet (1,589sqm) of living space, including six bedrooms and 16 bathrooms. The two-storey homes standing today were constructed back in 1989, so it makes sense that the acreage is being marketed as a redevelopment opportunity.
Elsewhere on the compound, there's a dock and a yacht berth so future owners can set sail whenever they wish.
Here's another render that shows the site's potential, featuring a design for a Mediterranean-style mansion with ornate architecture, floor-to-ceiling windows and alfresco terraces.
The property is situated in the exclusive neighbourhood of Port Royal, which began life as a mangrove swamp, before becoming one of Florida's most upmarket enclaves, complete with its own beach club.
A surprising number of the world's priciest properties aren't mega-mansions but prestigious penthouses, floating above our capital cities like castles in the sky. This duplex penthouse at One Hyde Park: The Residences at Mandarin Oriental overlooks – you guessed it – Hyde Park, as well as ritzy Knightsbridge.
On the market for £175 million ($217m), the five-bedroom, eight-bathroom home makes the most of its location with wraparound terraces – but we think it's the interior that makes it stand out from the crowd...
Imagine kicking back and relaxing in this double-height formal reception room. With a 26-foot (8m) high ceiling, glass fireplace and double-height windows, we'd never want to leave.
Elsewhere, there's a pool table and home cinema to keep the family entertained, while two sleek offices and meeting areas would make working from home positively enjoyable.
The master suite sprawls over 2,300 square feet (701sqm) and features not one, but two ensuite bathrooms, each with Jacuzzi-style jet pools and spacious dressing rooms.
Naturally, the home also has its very own state-of-the-art gym, as well as a private spa with a treatment room, sauna and steam room.
The Japanese-inspired kitchen features matching black forest granite countertops and floors, as well as high-end Gaggenau appliances.
The duplex comes with four storage units, so you don't have to worry about your clutter ruining the minimalist aesthetic. It also has four parking spaces, two additional entrances and a staff suite, as well as 'back-of-house' areas your staff can use to run your new home like clockwork. What more could a billionaire need?
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