Disney-inspired palace in Sintra returns to market after luxury makeover

In the magical hills of Sintra, where palaces and castles seem to have sprung from the pages of a fairy tale, there is a property that could easily be the setting of a Disney film — Quinta da Felicidade.

This unique mansion, known as the Portuguese Disney palace, is an icon of fantasy and luxury — but also a symbol of a dream that lost its sparkle over time, having been left abandoned for years before now returning to the market, listed on idealista for €24 million.

A dream built in the 1980s

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The story of Quinta da Felicidade dates back to the 1980s, when businessman Carlos Maia Nogueira, one of Portugal’s computing pioneers, bought a plot of land in a privileged area of the Sintra hills. The idea stemmed from his desire to build a sort of “dollhouse” for his daughter, inspired by the unmistakable style of Disney palaces.

The land was purchased for 70,000 contos at the time, from an Englishman married to a Spanish woman named Felicity — the name that would later inspire Quinta da Felicidade.

However, only the name of the estate remained. The original house was demolished without legal permission to make way for a luxurious mansion of unique design, with an investment running into millions of euros. Initially, this mansion, located right next to the Disney Palace, featured impressive details that justified the high costs.

Rise and fall of a tech king

Maria Dúlia Fox

At the helm of Solbi, a company that once turned over more than €100 million, Maia Nogueira was responsible for selling the first personal computer in Portugal, earning him the nickname “King of Microcomputing.” However, despite early success, Solbi’s journey faced significant challenges.

Over time, the mansion commissioned by Maia Nogueira took on an air of opulence, but financial stability did not keep pace. Solbi went bankrupt in 2008, leaving over €20 million in debts to the banks. By 2011, far from his heyday, the businessman was living in a basement flat in Campo de Ourique, surviving on a monthly pension of just €500.

The property, registered under one of Maia Nogueira’s companies, became entangled in various legal disputes, further complicating the situation. Gradually, signs of abandonment began to take hold.

The house’s isolation in the hills also made it a refuge for illegal parties and vandalism. This attracted urban explorers and photographers, such as the duo Yellow Jackets, who visited in 2021 and described the experience as “completely unlike anything they had ever seen before.”

Andreia Carrilho

A new chapter for Quinta da Felicidade

Currently, Quinta da Felicidade has been put back on the market, presenting a rare opportunity for those seeking to live in a true fairy-tale setting in Portugal. With a plot of 8,485 square metres and a location combining privacy with proximity to Sintra’s town centre, this property is ready to be reborn through a new project.

Having undergone extensive restoration, Quinta da Felicidade, situated in Malveira da Serra, now boasts a completely renewed appearance. As soon as photos of the mansion were released online, they went viral on social media, with numerous design and architecture pages sharing the stunning images.

For example, IG Mansions described it as “surrounded by exotic vegetation, overlooking the sea, and offering absolute tranquility,” adding that “this magnificent Cascais property looks as if it has stepped straight out of a fairy tale.”

Luxury features that impress

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Beyond the striking architecture, Quinta da Felicidade offers a range of exclusive amenities. The grounds include several buildings, among them a spacious ballroom. In addition to three outdoor swimming pools, the property also featured a heated indoor pool lined with blue marble from Venezuela. The main house, with around 1,865 square metres of gross floor area, is a T19 spread over three floors and includes 20 bathrooms. If that isn’t impressive enough, the mansion also boasted underfloor heating and marble columns.

Every detail of this luxury residence was carefully designed by the owner, including security measures. Alongside a hidden safe, the house contained a bunker intended to protect the family in emergencies.

The Disney Castle in Sintra

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Next to the mansion stands a small replica of the Disneyland Paris palace. The businessman even sought permission from Disneyland Paris to reproduce the palace found in the French theme park.

Not only did he obtain authorisation, but Carlos Manuel Maia Nogueira was also provided with photographs and blueprints to help bring the project to life.

Quinta da Felicidade: parties, glamour and bohemian life

Quinta da Felicidade was not just a family home; it was also rented out by Solbi, which paid a monthly rent of €10,000.

During that time, the estate hosted various internal training sessions, parties and events for major international brands. For instance, the well-known company Intel once unveiled one of its processors at the venue. However, the end of this golden era in the 2000s, combined with mounting debts, led to the disappearance of all the luxury that once filled the estate.

Despite its ups and downs, Quinta da Felicidade remains a rare chance to own a slice of fantasy and luxury in Sintra.