“Disney Palace” up for sale in Portugal

Lisbon: After decades of neglect and abandonment, the Disney-inspired mansion is back on the market for €24 million.

Set in the scenic Sintra mountains, a region famed for its fairytale architecture, Quinta da Felicidade stands out as a property like no other. Nicknamed the Portuguese Disney palace, this one-of-a-kind mansion blends fantasy with luxury. After decades of abandonment and decline, the estate is now back on the market and available on idealista for 24 million euros.

The history of Quinta da Felicidade dates to the 1980s, when businessman Carlos Maia Nogueira, one of the pioneers of IT in Portugal, acquired a plot of land in a privileged area of the Sintra mountains. The idea arose from the desire to build a kind of “dollhouse” for his daughter, inspired by the unmistakable style of Disney palaces.

The land was purchased for 70 thousand contos at the time from an Englishman married to a Spanish woman called Felicity — the name that would later give rise to Quinta da Felicidade.

However, only the name of the farm remained. The original house ended up being demolished, without legal authorization, to make way for a luxurious mansion of unique construction, with an investment of millions of euros. Initially, this mansion, located right next to the Disney Palace, had impressive details that justified the high investment.

Solbi, a company founded by Carlos Maia Nogueira in 1987, has reached a turnover of more than 100 million euros. However, despite his initial success, Solbi ended up facing major difficulties.

Over time, the mansion that Maia Nogueira had built became opulent, but its financial stability did not keep pace with this growth. Solbi went bankrupt in 2008, leaving debts of over 20 million euros to the bank. In 2011, far from his golden years, the businessman was living in a basement in Campo de Ourique and surviving on a monthly pension of just 500 euros.

The property, registered in the name of one of Maia Nogueira’s companies, was involved in several legal disputes, which further complicated the situation. Little by little, signs of neglect began to take hold of the place.

The house’s isolation in the mountains has also made it a haven for illegal parties and vandalism.

Quinta da Felicidade is now back on the market, representing an opportunity for those looking to live in a true fairytale setting in Portugal. With a plot of 8,485 square metres (m2) and a location that combines privacy with proximity to the centre of Sintra, this property is ready to be reborn through a new project.

After undergoing extensive renovation, Quinta da Felicidade, located in Malveira da Serra, has gained a completely new look. As soon as images of the mansion were released online, they went viral on social media, with several design and architecture pages sharing the impressive photos.

For example, IG Mansions describes it as “surrounded by exotic vegetation, with sea views and absolute tranquillity”, and adds that “this magnificent property in Cascais looks like something straight out of a fairytale”.

Beyond its fairytale appearance, Quinta da Felicidade boasts a range of exclusive amenities that elevate it to a true palace of luxury. Spread across expansive grounds, the estate comprises several buildings—including an elegant ballroom—making it ideal for hosting grand events.

Among its standout features are three outdoor swimming pools and a heated indoor pool lined with exquisite blue Venezuelan marble. The main residence, with approximately 1,865 square metres of gross area, houses 19 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms, spread over three floors. Inside, heated floors and marble columns further emphasize the home’s opulence.

Every detail of the mansion reflects meticulous planning by its owner, Carlos Manuel Maia Nogueira—including the security. The property includes a hidden safe and even a bunker, designed to offer protection in emergency situations.

Adding to its Disney-like charm, the estate also features a scaled replica of the Disneyland Paris castle, built next to the main house. Impressively, the owner obtained official permission from Disneyland Paris to recreate the iconic structure. He was even provided with architectural plans and photographs to ensure the replica stayed true to the original.