Lisbon is buzzing following news that superstar Madonna has moved and bought a home near the city. Could you too be tempted by one of these fashionable spots close to the Portuguese capital?

Lisbon and its property market have been in the spotlight this summer after popstar Madonna moved to the area to tap into the European lifestyle and enable her 11-year-old son to attend the youth academy of Portuguese football club Benfica.

The Queen of Pop fell in love with Portugal after trips there with her children and she is already reported to have snapped up a Portuguese home, opting for a beautiful mansion, or ‘palacete’, in need of restoration. Located in the picturesque town of Sintra, 25 kilometres west of Lisbon, Madonna’s Portuguese pad was on the market for around £7million. Built by a 15th-Century count and today within the boundaries of a world heritage site, the property includes a private chapel, parkland, lake and grotto.

While Portugal’s Algarve, in particular the Golden Triangle, has been popular with celebrity homeowners for a number of years, including premiership footballers and TV presenters such as Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, international A-listers are now discovering Lisbon. John Malkovich, Monica Bellucci and Michael Fassbender already own homes in the city.

But it’s no longer just the centre of Lisbon that excites overseas homeowners. As highlighted by Madonna, surrounding towns within a short drive of the city centre that historically have been popular with Portuguese holidaymakers are now becoming increasingly popular with international buyers. We’ve picked the key ones and suggest a property in each.

Estoril
An upmarket resort to the west of Lisbon and nestling at the foot of the scenic Serra de Sintra mountains, Estoril boasts sandy beaches, world-class restaurants and a championship golf course.

Most famously, it’s home to the grand Hotel Palácio Estoril, which became a haunt of European royals and the privileged classes when it opened in the 1930s. James Bond creator Ian Fleming spent time there, in fact the hotel, which today retains much of its old-world charm, features in the Bond film ‘On her Majesty’s Secret Service’. Nearby is Estoril Casino, said to be the largest casino in Europe and a further nod to the resort’s glamorous history.

This four-bedroom villa is in a desirable residential area, close to the golf course. For more info, click on the image.

Cascais
Neighbouring Estoril, Cascais (pictured above) is an elegant old fishing town with a pretty town-centre. It too has been attracting well-heeled holidaymakers, as well as artists, since the 19th Century and was especially popular with King Fernando II, from where it got its nickname ‘The Town of Kings and Fishes’.

The beaches to the north of the town are wild and offer excellent surfing conditions, while to the east the beaches are calmer and more suitable for families.

This five-bedroom villa with pool is in a quiet area of Cascais and would make an ideal holiday home.

Sintra
Nestled a few kilometres inland in the Serra de Sintra mountains and within the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, hill-top Sintra may not be on the coast but it is a real gem that has attracted Portugal’s elite and nobility throughout the centuries.

Historic architecture abounds throughout the town and includes beautiful palaces and various national monuments, the highlight being the Pena Palace, one of Portugal’s most popular attractions. Buy a home here and you could have Madonna as a neighbour!

Contrasting with the superstar’s majestic character home is this modern, luxury four-bedroom villa on a beautifully located plot.

Sesimbra
Just south of Lisbon and the Tagus river is the unspoilt Setúbal Peninsula, home to the Arrábida Natural Park. There, the picturesque, traditional town of Sesimbra is barely discovered by tourists and surrounded by stunning natural scenery, as well as fine sandy beaches.

This new development of just 15 three-bedroom villas is five minutes outside Sesimbra.