While climbing onto the first rung of the property ladder is a tricky task for the average homebuyer, for billionaires, a sprawling mansion with an eight-figure price tag is a mere drop in the ocean – but what $50 million can buy you around the world might just come as a surprise. From plush penthouse apartments in space-starved cities to 800-acre estates in the wilderness and ornate French palaces, let's take a tour of some of the world's most expensive homes...

Nestled on 876 acres of unspoiled land, Four Peaks Ranch is the ultimate option for fans of the great outdoors thanks to its seemingly endless back garden, home to 15 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails. Named after the four mountains that surround it – Snowmass Mountain, Capitol Peak, Mount Daly and Mount Sopris – this amazing American estate lies in close proximity to the world-renowned ski resort of Aspen.

Built in 2007, the mountain sanctuary lies inside a private gated compound and is the perfect year-round retreat. The lucky new owner of this property will be able to tee off on the putting green or soak up the sunshine on their very own private beach. During the winter months, you can try your hand at snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, retiring to the vitamin D-infused sauna when it's time for a little R&R. If you like the exterior of this contemporary ranch, then you're going to love what's happening inside...

On the market for $45 million (£35.4m) with Sotheby's International Realty, the home features seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms across its 18,000-square-foot interior. Most of the rooms boast jaw-dropping views over the surrounding landscape, including the main living room, which benefits from dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. Traditional features abound throughout, from exposed timber beams to rustic stone fireplaces and elegant hardwood floors.

The plush master suite is located in the home's private wing. Kitted out with his-and-hers bathrooms, two private offices and an impressive dining room with dramatic landscape views, this part of the house is truly fit for a VIP. Much like a luxury spa, the home also has a massage room with a chromotherapy tub and a steam room, as well as an indoor/outdoor saltwater pool with grottos, a waterfall and an oxygen bar. What more could anyone possibly need?

Situated in the heart of the glistening coastal town of Saint-Tropez, this magnificent Mediterranean villa, currently on the market for $48.7 million (£38.2m) with Savills, has seven lavish bedrooms and seven bathrooms. With magnificent views overlooking the azure waters of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, the home is surrounded by nearly two acres of landscaped gardens, making it a tranquil oasis in one of France's most beautiful regions.

A winding pathway meanders through the home's grounds, leading to the grand front door. Inside, you're greeted by a spacious, double-height entrance hall with a dramatic, sweeping staircase. The foyer flows through to a beautiful reception room, while upstairs, you'll find six ensuite bedrooms and a luxury master suite that comes complete with its own bathroom, dressing area and private ocean-view terrace.

The villa offers 5,381 square feet of inside space, blending contemporary design with classic Mediterranean touches. The main living room is chic and minimalist, allowing the exterior view to do all the talking. Elsewhere, there's also a stylish dining room that faces the ocean, as well as a high-end, professional kitchen. Almost all of the main living spaces come complete with French doors that open up onto terraces or balconies, so you're never far from a breathtaking vista.

Outside, the grounds feature landscaped flower beds, an enticing swimming pool, a pool house with a bar and plenty of covered outdoor living areas that are perfect for alfresco entertaining or relaxing. Situated less than 20 minutes' walk from the coast and 30 minutes' walk from the centre of Saint-Tropez, this plush property is ideally located to make the most of what the region has to offer.

London isn't exactly known for its affordable real estate. Yet when you've got tens of millions in the bank, you can certainly stretch to a substantial property, as this $50.9 million (£40m) custom-built mansion, on the market with Knight Frank, proves. Occupying a two-acre lot in the affluent London suburb of Highgate, the prestigious pad enjoys panoramic views over Hampstead Heath.

Your money will buy you 10 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms and five extensive living spaces across its three storeys. The sophisticated interior is defined by glass and gilded details, while soaring ceilings and high-end fixtures add to the bespoke finish – the plush entrance hall even comes equipped with a glass elevator that offers access to each floor.

A glistening glass and marble staircase leads up to the magnificent master suite on the first floor, whilst the top level features the ultimate home office with unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. There's also a garage for up to four cars, a roof terrace for alfresco evening drinks and a 4,400-square-foot, self-contained lodge located in the garden.

Akin to a luxurious spa hotel, the mansion has extensive leisure amenities too, including a grand swimming pool, spa facilities, a sauna, steam room and home gymnasium. The sprawling garden is also home to plenty of winding pathways, quiet seating areas and pretty water features, not to mention a full-size tennis court. 

If you've ever dreamt about buying a luxurious pad in New York City, then this property is sure to tick all the right boxes. Offering spectacular skyline views and immaculate interior design, this single-storey home can be found on the city's Upper West Side, opposite Central Park. Listed for sale with Corcoran for a staggering $57.5 million (£45.1m), this prestigious address even comes with a private elevator and a 24-hour doorman. 

The luxury condo occupies the entire top floor of 15 Central Park West, one of the city's most exclusive addresses. Taking up 4,739 square feet of living space, the penthouse home was completed in 2007 and benefits from 360-degree vistas across Manhattan. The interior has been impeccably finished and was meticulously curated by the internationally renowned designer, Anthony Ingrao. 

The elevator opens out onto a private landing flanked by custom glass panelling. A dramatic gallery welcomes you into a contemporary, open-plan living zone with decorative ceilings, recessed lighting and fireplaces made from hematite stone and black glass. There are three bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as a library for quiet moments of escapism. Every room enjoys spectacular views of the Big Apple, as well as the Hudson River. Just imagine waking up to this outlook every morning!

Elsewhere, there's a dining room, media room, bar and kitchen that can be screened off by an electronic panel. The state-of-the-art culinary space features a custom chandelier, bespoke aluminium cabinetry and a quartz island. The apartment is also kitted out with radiant underfloor heating and automated lighting, blinds, fireplaces and security systems throughout, while French doors lead out to two tranquil terraces that stretch over 800 square feet.

Inspired by The Grand Trianon, a French Baroque-style chateau in the grounds of Versailles, this incredible mansion oozes opulence. Dripping in gold and offering plenty of one-of-a-kind interior touches, the dazzling property will set you back a mere $54.6 million (£42.8m). For sale with Christie's International Real Estate, the substantial estate can be found in Yvelines on the outskirts of Paris.

Covering 21,528 square feet of living space, the palace was built in 1900 by the renowned theologian and humanitarian Arthur Schweitzer. It was also once the home of the French poet Robert de Montesquiou, while Charles de Gaulle is also said to have stayed at the palace back in 1940. The home's grandeur is clear to see, with each room offering soaring ceilings, decorative chandeliers, ornate plasterwork and bespoke marble floors.

Located just 20 minutes from central Paris, the royal residence boasts five bedrooms, multiple reception rooms, a cinema and an underground games room complete with a pool table, bar and various arcade machines. Towering floor-to-ceiling windows decorate every room, framing light-filled living spaces with beautiful garden views. There's also a professional-grade kitchen, a stunning formal dining room and a plush lounge with elegant furnishings, never-ending drapes and marble fireplaces.

If all that wasn't enough, the estate also offers a mesmerizing indoor swimming pool, a squash court and a gym. Elsewhere in the vast landscaped grounds, you'll find a caretaker's villa, staff accommodation, a four-bedroom guest house and numerous garages for storing your favourite automotive toys. Now there's a palace fit for a queen!

This staggering property lies in the Bel Air neighbourhood of Los Angeles, California. Completed in 2018, the home was designed by Zoltan Pali of SPF:architects and has been recognised with various accolades, including an AIA Award. Nestled on a prominent elevated plot overlooking the city, The Orum House is considered a masterpiece of contemporary architecture and engineering. Offered for $56 million (£43.9m) via The Agency, the home comes fully furnished.

The gorgeous glass-fronted house features three elegant wings that float above the ground on metal legs. Wrapped in frameless glazing, the contemporary home enjoys panoramic views of Downtown LA and the Pacific Ocean. Encompassing 18,800 square feet, every effort has been taken to make the interior both comfortable and luxurious. Each room displays exquisite design details, including gold-veined marble from Italy and beautiful limestone from Portugal. 

Orum House offers nine bedrooms and 15 bathrooms, each with floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Every level of this three-storey home has been designed for a different purpose. While the first floor is reserved for entertaining, with dual living rooms, a formal dining area and a chef's kitchen, the top floor is a tranquil sleeping zone for the whole family. There's also parking for 30 vehicles, a 1,000-bottle wine room, a Dolby Atmos movie theatre and a catering kitchen for throwing extravagant dinner parties.

The home's 6,000-square-foot exterior deck is perhaps its most alluring feature. Equipped with a sleek swimming pool, numerous shaded patios and firepit terraces, it's the perfect place to soak up the scenery. There's also an outdoor kitchen, an indoor-outdoor fitness studio, a cedar sauna, steam room and various massage rooms. There's even an attached guesthouse known as The Cube, which features four bedrooms and four bathrooms for hosting guests in style.

Described by Christie's International Real Estate as "the best penthouse ever offered in Australia, if not the world", The Boyd Residence is a triumph of luxury, contemporary living. Located on the 43rd and 44th floors of the highly acclaimed ANZ Tower in Sydney's Central Business District, this penthouse apartment is quite unlike any you might have seen before...

If you have $47 million (£37.8m) going spare, then this 25,833-square-foot property could be yours. Spanning three extensive floors, the apartment benefits from glass walls and unusual curved ceilings that add to the home's modernist aesthetic. There are four bedrooms and five bathrooms, as well as huge open-plan living areas that each enjoy harbour and city views.

The apartment is home to plenty of high-end fixtures and finishes, including wall-to-wall marble bathrooms, lavish lighting and 24-hour security. Imagine taking a bath in this unbelievable space, taking in views across the skyline while you soak. It's no real surprise that this residence was named the world's finest at the International Design & Architecture Awards in 2017.

Outside, this mind-blowing penthouse also comes equipped with a stunning, resort-style rooftop deck, kitted out with a lap pool and terraces for sunbathing amongst the city skyline. The luxe pad also offers secure garage parking and a private elevator, which leads directly to the apartment's front door. 

Listed for sale with Sotheby's International Realty for $45 million (£35.3m), this majestic mansion can be found on a highly sought-after street in Lincoln Park, one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in all of Chicago. The 25,000-square-foot home takes up more than eight city lots and no expense has been spared on both the inside and outside of this regal residence.

Despite its impressive Georgian-style facade, the home was actually built in 2010, offering modern amenities framed within a historic aesthetic. While stunning period-style features decorate every room, the home also comes kitted out with high-end technology and contemporary fixtures. There are six bedrooms and nine bathrooms, as well as plenty of spaces for both entertaining and intimate family living.

Throughout the interior, you'll find luxurious hardwood floors, decorative fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, gold detailing, marble accents and intricate plasterwork. There are also numerous walk-in closets, along with a steam room, wine cellar, wet bar and spectacular kitchen worthy of a celebrity chef. The property comes complete with radiant underfloor heating and zoned air-conditioning, so year-round comfort is guaranteed. 

The Lincoln Park home benefits from a stunning manicured garden befitting of a grand stately home. Decorated with ornate fountains, reflecting pools and stone statues, it's an oasis in the heart of the urban jungle. The garden covers just over half an acre and hosts a hand-forged antique garden pavilion – a dreamy spot to enjoy your alfresco meals in the summer.

Nestled on Hyde Park Place in the bustling heart of London, this Grade II-listed townhouse is a stone's throw away from some of the city's most iconic sights, including Marble Arch, Oxford Street and Speakers' Corner. Elegant and colossal in equal measure, this sublime property exudes classic British charm and is one piece of real estate that'll never go out of style.

For sale through Knight Frank for a whopping $57.3 million (£45m), this elegant home was built towards the end of the 1830s but has been lovingly restored, blending period charm with contemporary styling. Offering almost 17,000 square feet of inside space, the property features four huge reception rooms, two dining rooms, a kitchen, study, 10 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Laid out across an astonishing seven floors, every level can be accessed via the grand central staircase or elevator.

Stunning period features are visible in every room, from walnut panelling, original fireplaces and elegant light fixtures to decorative plasterwork. Oversized casement windows allow natural light to flood into every space, while towering ceilings make for airy and inviting communal areas.

Throughout the home, you'll find plenty of luxurious facilities, including a giant indoor swimming pool, a steam room and a spa. There's also a wine cellar, a gym and a plush, state-of-the-art cinema. At the top of the house, a spacious roof terrace allows for unobstructed views across Hyde Park, while numerous balconies are situated across the upper floors. The newly refurbished home comes kitted out with smart lighting, climate control and audio-visual systems, making this townhouse both classic and cutting-edge.

Compared with the previous properties, this lavish estate in Naples, Florida could well be considered something of a bargain – especially since the last time it was listed for sale it was given a price tag of $65 million (£51m)! Now on the market with Christie's International Real Estate for $44.9 million (£35.3m), this oceanfront mansion certainly offers deep-pocketed buyers plenty of bang for their buck...

Situated next door to the elite Port Royal Club, the breathtaking beach home enjoys complete privacy, while still being in easy reach of all of the community's offerings, including exclusive sports facilities, spas and restaurants, plus it's a mere 12 minutes' drive from Naples airport. Along with 274 feet of pristine private beach frontage, this grand estate also offers a stunning four-acre tropical garden peppered with towering palm trees.

Sprawling across more than 15,000 square feet, the regal residence features five bedrooms, eight bathrooms and plenty of generously proportioned living areas. Interior details are impeccable, from the elegant woodwork and custom chandeliers to delicate mouldings and ornate cornicing. There's also a den, an attached five-car garage and an additional detached outbuilding that could easily be transformed into guest lodgings. 

Built in 2009, one of our favourite rooms in this palatial pad has to be the huge chef's kitchen, complete with granite countertops, refined hardwood floors, a coffered ceiling and high-end appliances. Elsewhere, you'll also gain a vast outdoor swimming pool where you can soak up the world-famous rays that the Sunshine State is known for. What could be better than that?

As far as multimillion-dollar properties go, this regal Bel Air home is up there with the finest. Offering space, style and luxury amenities in abundance, the contemporary estate lies inside a guarded and gated compound. Fit for a VIP buyer, the 36,000-square-foot billionaire home has beautiful landscaped gardens, eight bedrooms and a whopping 20 bathrooms, as well as a surprising secret hiding in the basement...

Described by the real estate agent as having "sophistication and incomparable opulence", every room was designed to meet the highest levels of comfort and luxury, while the finest materials have been used throughout the magnificent interior. From the elegant sweeping staircase in the vaulted entrance hall to this glamorous living room, which comes complete with a marble hearth and decorative cornicing, this pad isn't short on wow-factor.

Elsewhere, there's an expansive chef-style kitchen, stunning bedrooms with roaring fireplaces and marble accents and a state-of-the-art fitness centre that puts most public facilities to shame. The dining room is one of the finest spaces in the house and boasts mirrored walls and chic light fixtures. Outside, the grounds are home to a swimming pool, an outdoor kitchen and a dining area, as well as standalone guest quarters for accommodating visiting friends and family.

The mansion's biggest secret, however, lies below the ground. The basement hides 20,000 square feet of entertainment space, as well as a resort-style spa, with a pool, massage room, sauna and steam baths. There's also a games room, cinema, bar, basketball and racquetball courts and a bespoke bowling alley. Currently for sale through JamesEdition for $49.9 million (£39.2m), the new owner of this regal amenity-packed residence will barely need to leave the house!