Portugal’s pull hasn’t gone anywhere. Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra in particular continue to attract high-profile names who value privacy, international schools, decent infrastructure and a calmer pace than London or Los Angeles.
Madonna – Sintra
Madonna bought the historic Quinta do Relógio estate in Sintra in 2017. The purchase was widely covered in both Portuguese and international press at the time, and the property remains associated with her.
However, she no longer appears to be based in Portugal full-time. Her Sintra estate is best described as a significant property she owns and uses, rather than her primary residence.
Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander – Lisbon
Multiple international outlets have reported that Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander relocated to Lisbon several years ago, and Vikander has spoken in interviews about the move and settling there with their family.
They are generally linked to central Lisbon neighbourhoods such as Príncipe Real, an area popular with international buyers thanks to its walkability and proximity to Chiado and Avenida da Liberdade.
Scarlett Johansson - Lisbon
Scarlett Johansson was widely reported in 2017–2018 to have also bought an apartment in Príncipe Real, Lisbon.
What’s less clear is her current connection to Portugal. There has been no consistent recent reporting confirming that she lives in Lisbon or spends significant time there today.
Cristiano Ronaldo – Lisbon and Cascais
Cristiano Ronaldo has longstanding property ties in Portugal, and recent reporting has highlighted luxury real estate in Lisbon, as well as a major mansion project in Quinta da Marinha, near Cascais. However, Ronaldo's €35 million mansion in Cascais has been put on the market this year.
While his professional life keeps him abroad for stretches, his investment in high-end property in Portugal is well documented in national and international media. Cascais in particular has become a magnet for ultra-high-net-worth buyers seeking discretion within easy reach of Lisbon.
Nicole Kidman – Melides
Australian actress Nicole Kidman was reported to be preparing a move to Portugal and has applied for residency in the country. According to SIC Notícias, she is linked to the reported purchase of a house in Melides, within the luxury Costa Terra Golf & Ocean Club development.
This would not be her first foothold in Portugal. Lisbon City Council reportedly confirmed to TVI that Kidman had already purchased an apartment in Parque das Nações, the modern waterfront district in eastern Lisbon.
The bigger picture: where celebrities cluster
Recent coverage continues to highlight three main celebrity corridors:
- Lisbon (especially Príncipe Real, Chiado and areas near Avenida da Liberdade)
- Cascais and Quinta da Marinha
- Sintra, for large historic estates
There is also frequent reference to Comporta and Melides as discreet second-home destinations for international creatives and business figures. The ultra-private CostaTerra development, in particular, has been linked to several well-known celebrity owners.
