In Hong Kong, they gaze over the glittering city from the heights of the Peak. In Africa, they harbor elephants and lions. In Australia, they lie on the beach, of course.

The most expensive homes in the world may not seem to have much in common besides price--and even those vary greatly, from $100 million-plus palaces in England and the United States to grand houses priced under $10 million in South Africa.

But they do share common locations, in ghettos of wealth such as the Hamptons, the Côte d'Azur and Australia's Gold Coast, or business centers like New York and London. And the most luxurious residences in the most desirable locations share a shifting international pool of buyers, people who cross countries and oceans to get the homes they want.

© Hamptons International and Savills

No. 1

$139 million (£75 million)
Updown Court
Windlesham, England

Thanks to shifting exchange rates, Updown Court is still, it appears, the most expensive home in the world. And no wonder: The unlived-in mansion encompasses 103 rooms, five swimming pools and its own 50-seat screening room. The property oozes opulence, from the 24-carat-gold leafing on the library floor to the heated marble driveway. With your own squash court, bowling alley and tennis court, you may never need to leave--except to visit the queen at nearby Windsor Castle. It is listed with Hamptons International and Savills

© AP

No. 2

$135 million
Starwood Estate
Aspen, Colo.

It's a record-setting prince--er, price. Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, former Saudi Arabian ambassador to the U.S., has put his 95-care ranch on the market. The Starwood Ranch estate includes a 56,000-square-foot mansion with 15 bedrooms and 16 baths, several smaller buildings, stables, a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool. Listed with Joshua Saslove at Joshua & Co.

© Prudential Douglas Elliman

No. 3

$125 million
Maison de L'Amitie
Palm Beach, Fla.

In 2004, Donald J. Trump bought former health care executive Abe Gosman's palace, Maison de L'Amitie, at a bankruptcy auction for $41.25 million. With the refurbished version--complete with ballroom, conservatory, 100-foot-long swimming pool and 475 feet of oceanfront--he aims to set a U.S. sales record. It is listed with Dolly Lenz and Geoff Thomas at Prudential Douglas Elliman.

© Luici Real Estate Agency

No. 4

$100 million
Waterfront Estate
Istanbul, Turkey

The fourth most expensive home in the world is in a somewhat unexpected spot. Located on three-quarters of an acre directly on the Bosphorus, this residence offers more than 30,000 square feet of opulent living space in 64 rooms. Details include gilded moldings and crystal chandeliers. The mansion has a rare quay that is nearly 200 feet long. Listed with Alp Sahin at Luici Real Estate Agency.

© Glentree Estates

No. 5

$92 million (£50 million)
Toprak Mansion
London, England

When a Turkish entrepreneur builds a neoclassical palace in modern London, the result is Halis Toprak's over-the-top home. The main living space (not including staff and guest apartments) totals about 28,000 square feet, and includes twin grand staircases, four kitchens and an 80-foot-long grand salon. There is an indoor leisure complex with swimming pool, Turkish bath and sauna, and two acres of landscaped grounds. The property is being offered through Trevor Abrahmsohn at Glentree Estates.

©Coldwell Banker

No. 6 (tie)

$75 million
Three Ponds
Bridgehampton, N.Y.

Three Ponds, which encompasses more than 60 acres of Hamptons farmland, is named for its lakes. But, the lavish estate also features its own USGA-rated Rees Jones golf course, 14 gardens, a 75-foot-long swimming pool and guest house. The main house, designed by architect Allan Greenberg, has a great room with a 28-foot-high domed ceiling. It is listed with Susan Breitenbach at Allan Schneider Associates.

© Allan Schneider Associates

No. 6 (tie)

$75 million
The Portabello Estate
Corona del Mar, Calif.

The triple oceanfront lot is only part of what makes the Portabello Estate so pricey. Built in 2002, the home has eight bedrooms and ten full baths in nearly 30,000 square feet of ultramodern space. The unique design resembles a nautilus shell, with a dramatic grotto surrounded by "chambers." John McMonigle at Coldwell Banker is the listing broker.

© Brown Harris Stevens

No. 8

$70 million
Pierre Penthouse
New York, N.Y.

Topping off one of New York's most luxurious hotels, this triplex includes the Pierre's original ballroom--now a grand salon with 20-foot-high French doors offering views over the city. Owned by investor and writer Martin Zweig, the spread has a paneled library, wine cellar, black marble staircase and marble baths. It is listed with Elizabeth Lee Sample and Brenda S. Powers at Brown Harris Stevens.

© Decker Bullock

No. 9 (tie)

$65 million
Locksley Hall
Belvedere, Calif.

The views alone may be worth the $65 million price tag on this palace. Indeed, the six-bedroom, 10,000-square-foot home offers breathtaking views of San Francisco, Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. Among its other spectacular features are herringbone floors, marble baths and front gates designed by Hearst Castle architect Julia Morgan. The property is listed with Olivia Decker at Decker Bullock.

© Coldwell Banker-Beverly Hills North

No. 9 (tie)

$65 million
Oceanfront Estate
Malibu, Calif.

It seems a steep price for a beach house, until you see the land accompanying it. In addition to the panoramic ocean views, the flat seven-acre plot, which sits on its own bluff, offers two riding stables, a riding ring, a swimming pool and a tennis court as well as private access to the beach. The seven-bedroom estate is listed with Jan Horn and Chris Cortazzo at Coldwell Banker-Beverly Hills North.

© Warwick Properties Group

No. 9 (tie)

$65 million
Gold Coast Mansion
San Francisco, Calif.

It's clad in French limestone and needs two more years of work. But this Gold Coast palace is certainly exclusive--you won't even get a go-see without having $800 million in the bank. The dramatic neoclassical villa was sold two years ago for $32 million; neighbors on "Billionaire's Row" include the Getty family. Warwick Properties Group is handling the listing.