Luxury homes come in all shapes and sizes, but some take opulence to much greater heights, quite literally! Whether perched atop a modern skyscraper or nestled inside an iconic landmark, these penthouse apartments all offer gorgeous interior design, plush amenities and, of course, jaw-dropping views.

From Sydney to New York, Berlin to Dubai, click or scroll to step inside the crème de la crème of sky-high living...

We've based our ranking on the size, sale price and amenities of each penthouse, and the opinions of our well-travelled team. The list is unavoidably subjective.

The penthouse atop the Elbphilarmonie concert hall in Hamburg is a music lover’s dream.

The distinctive exterior of the building, which was erected on the site of an existing brick warehouse and designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, has been likened to “an iridescent fortress of bubble windows ready to set sail, its ‘prow’ aimed down the Elbe River”. So, the bar was set pretty high for its one-off home at the top!

The two-storey penthouse, which is situated in the upper reaches of the 335-foot-tall (102m) Elbphilharmonie, does not disappoint. The highest apartment in Hamburg, its floor-to-ceiling glazed walls, set beneath the building’s scalloped roofline, provide a panoramic view of the Elbe River and out towards the Baltic Sea.

Munich-based architects Brückner Architekten worked with interiors guru Irena Richter to create the cocoon-like rooms, avoiding straight edges or sharp corners.

What’s truly remarkable is that the interiors of the £6.9 million ($9m) penthouse were built off-site, with the help of robots, and assembled afterwards in the 2,476 square foot (230sqm) apartment’s shell, reports Dezeen.

This mode of construction, more usually seen in product and car design, was selected to save on time and costs and to reduce waste, noise and general disruption; particularly important, given the concert hall had opened six years behind schedule.

The experts at Brücknerinnen meanwhile, created the prefabricated construction in record time. With no external hoist, each of the components had to be compact enough to transport to the upper floors by elevator. They were then mounted over a wooden framework to create tapering columns and curving walls that give the rooms their cave-like appearance.

Benches, counters and a sleeping gallery have been positioned to make the most of the property’s views above the harbour. 

Back in Europe, how would you like to live in the heart of Berlin, between the Brandenburg Gate and Gendarmenmarkt Square, within easy walking distance of the city’s trendiest shops and restaurants?

Glint is an ensemble of four historic Wilhelminian-style buildings that are being transformed into what will undoubtedly be the ultimate in luxury living in the centre of the German capital.

In October 2024, two penthouses were up for grabs through Savills, offering 3,014 square feet (280sqm) of floor space in which to stretch out and enjoy the lifestyle.

It isn’t difficult to imagine yourself sitting pretty on this expansive rooftop terrace sipping your morning coffee and admiring the views, which include the historic dome of the French Cathedral in Berlin’s most beautiful square, Gendarmenmarkt Square.

Featuring bay windows and stucco façades, the renovated complex retains its 19th-century charm while providing residents with the epitome of urban luxury.

At the pinnacle of the property is the reinterpretation of the original historic tower, which will be glazed to provide a bird’s eye view of the panorama from 100 feet (30m) above the ground.

The interiors are no less stunning with ceilings soaring to 23 feet (7m) in the living room and state-of-the-art appliances in the kitchen/dining room.

With a flexible floor plan design, the apartments can be tailored to meet your needs and personal preferences, but think spacious rooms with smoked oak floorboards and hanging fireplaces and you’ll be on the right track.

This master bedroom boasts its own balcony and firepit, while its ensuite bathroom features gold-coloured brass fittings from Danish brand Vola and matt black ceramics from Valdama in Italy, says Glint-Berlin. So, now you can have the views inside and out.

Forget about traipsing around Paris with the rest of the tourists to get the best view of the Eiffel Tower. The owner of this stunning penthouse in the 16th Arrondissement will have front-row vistas of the city’s most famous landmark from dawn to dusk.

The 3,200-square-foot (297sqm) luxury pad has three bedrooms, two living rooms, an eat-in kitchen and two bathrooms. It was on the market with Geoffrey Benoit from John Taylor Paris in October 2024 for just shy of  €11 million, which equates to around £9.1 million or $11.9 million.

Best of all, the unique property has an enormous terrace, a sprawling 4,400 square feet (408sqm), which is more than 1,200 square feet (111sqm) more than the actual penthouse, so you’ll be able to admire the view from every angle.

The apartment takes up the entire tenth floor of the building, which was constructed in 1969, reports Robb Report, and has been extensively renovated over the years. The vast terrace, planted with trees and lush greenery, is one of the largest in Paris and looks straight out towards the iconic Eiffel Tower. 

Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout allow light to flood in, at the same time linking with the extensive terrace and the stunning views beyond.

An open-plan layout allows the living room to flow into the dining room, while a modern kitchen has plenty of counter space so you can whip up some fine cuisine while you chat with friends. The kitchen also connects to the terrace where a four-person table has been set up for less formal gatherings. 

The primary bedroom boasts a lounge area and office space where you can work and still contemplate the engineering involved in building the Eiffel Tower. The ensuite bathroom meanwhile, has a hammam and large gym with a wall of mirrors.

The Right Bank penthouse is located in the 16th arrondissement, home to the city’s wealthiest residents, finest restaurants, galleries and swankiest hotels. Vive la France!

This unique penthouse, nestled on the top of the prestigious L’Héritage du Vieux-Port, the Old Port of Montreal, offers breathtaking views of the majestic St. Lawrence River.

A converted 19th-century cold-storage warehouse, which was declared a historic landmark building due to its Italianate exterior, the structure has retained its old-world charm, but offers residents all the luxuries and amenities of penthouse living in a neighbourhood that is known for its vibrant culture and stunning architecture.

The Old Port of Montreal has not been used as an industrial port since 1977, but if you sit back in a corner of your 10,000 square-foot (929sqm) terrace, you can instead gaze down on the recreational vessels that are these days moored in its luxurious marina.

The area has been transformed into one of the most sought-after places to live in Montreal, boasting a recreational area, with museums, restaurants and a network of cycling and walking paths, that attract about six million tourists every year.

This 7,000 square-foot (650sqm) penthouse extends over five floors with each floor connected by a private elevator, as well as this stylish staircase, with its sculpted balustrade. 

It includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms and stunning open spaces that boast high ceilings and large windows that flood the space with natural light.

The interiors have been designed to preserve the building’s charm while incorporating modern finishes. In this library, sleek white concrete floors combine with distressed wooden ceilings, perhaps a nod to the area’s maritime past. 

The penthouse was on the market with Engel & Völkers in October 2024 for CAD$5.9m (£3.3m/$4.3m) and includes a fitness centre, a heated pool, private screening room and valet parking.

Located at 23 Wolseley Road in Australia's most prestigious harbourside suburb, Point Piper, Vilon is a brand-new boutique apartment building comprising six, whole-floor apartments.

Designed by renowned architect, Burley Katon Halliday, the property provides uninterrupted, panoramic views across Sydney, including the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

This is Penthouse #5, and it's one of the finest in the building. It occupies the entire fourth floor, just below the top penthouse, which is currently not for sale.

Stretching 2,600 square feet (242sqm), this penthouse boasts open-plan lounges and dining areas, which continue onto a large covered entertaining balcony with views of the harbour.

There are three large bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms and balconies, including the master suite, which comes with its own walk-in closet, sitting area, luxurious bathroom and large entertaining terrace with uninterrupted skyline views.

This has got to be one of the best balcony views in the world! Lucky residents of 23 Wolseley Road also gain access to a secure garage, an internal laundry service, zoned ducted air-conditioning and smart home automation.

Penthouse #5 was for sale in October 2024 for an undisclosed sum, however, another penthouse inside the building was on the market in October 2022 for AUD$30 million, which equates to £15 million ($20m) so it's likely this one is worth even more.

Miami is known for its Art Deco style, but this impeccably designed penthouse, which sits atop Faena House, along the trendy shores of Mid-Beach, is a modern decorative masterpiece.

Overlooking the ocean, the property set pulses racing when it first hit the market in 2017 for an eye-watering £42 million ($55m). Realtor's sales information shows that the property was back on the market in December 2023 with Zilbert Realty Group for a dropped price of £25 million ($33m), however, it's since been removed.

Designed by award-winning British architects, Foster + Partners, Faena House is one of the most exclusive boutique towers in Miami Beach, situated alongside a wide stretch of white sand.

Like a beach house in the sky, the property offers six bedrooms and six bathrooms in 6,400 square feet (595sqm) of living space as well as an additional 4,000 square feet (372sqm) of outdoor space which, with its expansive glass walls, provide a truly indoor/outdoor experience.

With 270-degree blue sky views, there is never a dull moment at Faena House.

The sleek interior design is just as impressive as the vistas, with Italian terrazzo flooring and high-gloss ebony bookcases in the living area. Rare, hand-painted walls and custom-built ebony furnishings feature in all the bedrooms and past residents include Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who bought a pad here in 2018.

The unit also features a private elevator foyer arrival into a fine art gallery and fittings like these brass Crittall doors evoke the classic Art Deco style.

As well as a private rooftop swimming pool, amenities include an in-house spa, fitness centre, beach club, pools, gardens and access to services at Faena Hotel Miami Beach, where film director Baz Luhrmann designed interiors.

España is doing pretty well on the penthouse front too. The Grand Penthouse at the Mandarin Oriental Residences in Barcelona is thought to be the most expensive apartment in both Barcelona and Spain.

Situated along the tree-lined Passeig de Gràcia, overlooking Gaudi’s architectural masterpiece Casa Batlló and with views of the Sagrada Família, its predominantly glass façade soars 20 storeys into the sky.

World-renowned architect John Pawson created the design concept for the penthouses, while award-winning Spaniard Carlos Ferrater, reimagined the building. It's the first standalone residential complex from Mandarin Oriental, say reports, whose residences are typically connected to their luxury hotels.

One of four penthouses and 30 apartments, its sophisticated interiors meanwhile, are by London-based studio, MUZA Lab, whose aesthetic strives "to frame the unparalleled vistas, crafting a space that flows seamlessly from day to night.”

The Grand Penthouse, which occupies the entire 20th floor and spans 6,851 square feet (636sqm), is reported to have been sold off-plan to an Asian investor for more than €40 million (£33m/$43m) in February 2023.

The duplex residence can have up to four bedrooms, accessed via two separate staircases and several reception rooms including this chic living room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and neutral palette.

The open-plan penthouse furthermore has a wraparound, sea-facing terrace with stunning views across the city and surrounding area. 

Residents have access to the exclusive Lounge and Garden Level, which features fitness, wellness and business facilities, as well as a landscaped rooftop garden and a swimming pool.

In addition, they can utilise the amenities of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Barcelona, with its Michelin-starred Moments restaurant and award-winning spa.

Soaring 1,050 feet (320m) above the Museum of Modern Art, French architect Jean Nouvel’s glass and steel-clad, super-tall tower, 53 West 53, took New York by storm when it was completed in 2019.

Even its construction caused a stir. The dramatic tapered 82-storey structure dominates the New York skyline and once inside, Penthouse 76 is no less impressive. 

Penthouse 76 comprises the entire 76th and 77th floors, a total area of 7,973 square feet (741sqm), and the refined interiors were designed by Thierry Despont.

This truly palatial residence has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, along with this double-height living room with its monumental limestone-clad fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows that artfully frame its Central Park views.

An airy gallery leads to a formal dining room that also has stunning park views and a kitchen by Thierry Despont for Molteni. Just make sure your guests arrive in time to enjoy the unsurpassed vistas!

Accessible via a dramatic staircase or a private elevator, the 77th floor is extraordinary, with its sweeping views spanning north, south and east.

The elegant cream palette and museum-quality finishes in the primary bedroom create an atmosphere of modern glamour and timeless elegance, while its beautifully appointed walk-in wardrobe is worthy of the finest haute-couture collection. Talk about enjoying the high life!

The luxurious master bathroom, sculpted from Persian golden travertine and high-honed Verona limestone, and featuring polished Noir St.Laurent marble and nickel Dornbracht fixtures, blends tradition and originality.  

But should residents require extra pampering, the 53 West 53 experience extends to a 65-foot (20m) indoor lap pool, a gym and a wow-factor wellness centre, with its calming living green walls and rejuvenating treatments. 

It's no wonder the property was on the market in October 2024 for just over £49 million ($64m) with Knight Frank and Douglas Elliman.

At 1,396 feet (426m), it was hailed as the tallest residential tower in the Western Hemisphere when completed in 2015. Since then, 432 Park Avenue has been surpassed by Central Park Tower and 111 West 57th Street, but Rafael Viñoly’s minimalist design still holds its own on the New York skyline.

As does its penthouse on the 79th floor, which was previously for sale for a monumental £104 million ($135m) but finally sold in 2023 for a cut price of £50 million ($65.6m).

Not your usual glossy high-rise, this pared-back full-floor residence is a testament to its creator, renowned Japanese photographer and architect Hiroshi Sugimoto, famous for his black and white photographs of the natural world.

Distinctive from other properties in the building, the artist has brought a serene aesthetic to the interior design, choosing natural materials, like the ancient cedar planks in the dining room. There's also a permanent art installation featuring two bonsai trees, Robb Report confirmed.

The apartment comprises 8,055 square feet (748sqm) of living space, five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two powder rooms and unobstructed views from this functional but stylish kitchen, which is sheathed in hand-hammered metal. The cabinets have round windows that allude to a ship’s portholes.

Included in the sale was the custom-made furniture, also designed by Sugimoto, as well as two adjacent studio apartments and two storage units. That's quite the package deal.

What could be more relaxing than a long soak in this bathtub, which sits on stone tiles that have been sourced from old Kyoto Tram stations? 10-by-10-foot windows take in dramatic views of Central Park and beyond.

Plus, this building attracts the rich and famous, as past residents have included Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, who sold their apartment here in 2019 for a reported £12.2 million ($15.8m).

Property is booming in Dubai and the largest penthouse at Atlantis The Royal Residences sold in August 2022 for £34 million ($44.4m), in what was thought to be the year's biggest sale.

The distinctive honeycomb twin tower structure is straight out of a mythical world and was designed by celebrated New York architect Kohn Pedersen Fox, who has designed some of the world’s tallest buildings, including the CITIC Tower in Beijing.

Situated on the crescent of The Palm and next to the iconic Atlantis The Palm resort, the five-bedroom triplex penthouse is spread across about 25,000 square feet (2,323sqm). It features a sky garden, two private pools and terraces, a private lift and 360-degree views of both the Arabian sea and the Palm Jumeirah. 

While the apartment was offered unfinished, the new owner had the option to choose from a range of interior designs conceived by renowned interior designer Sybille de Margerie, a member of the Taittinger family, who transformed the Mandarin Oriental in Paris.

Her use of calm, subtle tones of gold and white complement the sea views and are accented by personally curated artworks, including tapestries and intricately woven screens.

Residents can enjoy the amenities of the adjacent Royal Atlantis Resort, including the jaw-dropping Sky Pool, an infinity pool hovering 295 feet (90m) in the air, plus there are over 40 restaurants, run by award-winning chefs, a spa and wellness centre, a gym and tennis courts. 

While the penthouse is no longer available, a two-bedroom townhouse was up for grabs in October 2024 with Knight Frank MENA for AED55 million, which equates to £12 million ($15m). It may not benefit from the sky-high views, but it's still out of this world!

Sydney’s most expensive penthouse was for sale in 2022 via Knight Frank for a staggering AUD$100m, around £51 million ($66m).

The six-bedroom, six-bathroom pad in Crown Residences at One Barangaroo has breathtaking views north to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, west to the Blue Mountains, east across the Sydney Opera House to the Pacific Ocean and south to Darling Harbour and beyond.

Located atop Sydney’s tallest building and part-owned by James Packer, Australia’s media and casino mogul, the Crown Residences penthouse hovers 800 feet (244m) above sea level.

A cathedral of glass, chrome and black marble, it boasts 8,600 square feet (799sqm) of luxury space. The penthouse offers several entertaining areas as well as an office, private plunge pool, cinema room, gym and over 500 square feet (46sqm) of outside space across three protected balconies.

Spread over two floors and connected by a feature staircase, the interiors were designed by the world-renowned Meyer Davis Studio and featured in Russell Crowe’s Poker Face film.

Using Sydney Harbour as a source of inspiration, gleaming marble floors and a carefully curated colour palette reflect the surrounding environment and create a chic, contemporary living space.

With views as spectacular as this, seen through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, you're sure to spring out of bed every morning ready to seize the day.

The penthouse is one of 76 apartments in the Crown Residences and comes with access to a 24-hour private concierge service, valet parking, residents-only pool, a state-of-the-art gym and in-room dining, thanks to a team of celebrated chefs. 

It was dubbed the most expensive penthouse in the world, when it hit the market in September 2021.

Gracing the top floor of Monaco’s La Tour Odéon skyscraper, the five-storey Sky Penthouse was previously on sale for a reported £298 million ($387m). The 560-foot tower is the tallest building in Monaco and was designed by visionary architect Alexandre Giraldi.

A real billionaire’s playground, the penthouse not only has 360-degree views out across the Mediterranean but features a waterslide that descends from a dance floor directly into a mind-blowing rooftop infinity pool. 

The expansive 35,500 square foot (3,300sqm) pad occupies the 45th through to the 49th floors of the building and has five bedrooms with interiors by the highly esteemed Alberto Pinto Studio, known for its maximalist style.

Sadly, the famed penthouse is no longer for sale, but for a fraction of the price, the 22nd floor of the building in this spectacular four-bedroom apartment, which benefits from the same stunning views and exclusive interior design, was available in October 2024 for a mere €26 million (£22.3m/$27.7m)

The principal reception room is open plan with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a wrap-around terrace, creating the wow factor shared by its neighbour upstairs. 

Top-quality marble and intricately carved wood detail add contrast and texture to this sleek, modern bathroom.

But should residents need the professional touch, they can use the Odéon Spa, also designed by Alberto Pinto Studio or any one of the many other amenities on offer that have made la Tour Odéon the premier residential building in Monaco.

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