True luxury means that you can spend your free time, which you might have more than most of, on the things that really bring you joy and make you happy. After all, that is what hobbies are for. But what many people don’t know, aside from giving us fun things to do, is that hobbies actually make us happier. 

Combine that with a luxury hobby? And you’ve got a recipe for some of the best free time in the world. 

So, if you are looking for a new hobby, something that feels luxurious, here are some of the best options.

Are hobbies expensive? 

When it comes to hobbies, most people will already spend around $200 a month or more on them - they are things that most people see as necessary spending. Often, to progress in the skill level of your hobby, you need newer and better materials, classes, and space to do it. The cost of a general hobby being $200 means it doesn’t fall into the luxury category by a long shot. 

So, while most hobbies have some cost attached, it is a small amount in comparison to some of the most luxurious hobbies in the world. 

What are some of the most expensive hobbies in the world? 

Art 

Collecting art might start with a single painting, but it quickly grows until the person has quite a collection. Art collecting is an expensive hobby to have and falls neatly into the luxury category because a single piece can far exceed hundreds of thousands. However, it is not just the cost of the piece itself. 

Having art dealers as friends doesn’t always happen easily, and you’ll need to have a small team of people gathering information, sourcing the art, cross-referencing the pieces, and even specialist verification - not to mention the travel and transportation of the piece and the people. Even if you get your art from an art marketplace, there’s still going to be some costs that you’ll have to keep in mind. While this is an expensive hobby, it is a common one among the affluent because it is also an investment - art holds value and increases in value over time too, depending on the artists. 

To be really great at art collecting you need a fine eye and to do plenty of research: Distinguished Programs Expands Fine Art and Collectibles Program Capacity to $100 Million Limit.

Travel 

While there are plenty of ways to travel around the world on a shoestring budget - traveling can be a luxurious hobby. Rather than looking for the cheapest street food vendor and sleeping in shared accommodation, switch to 5-star hotels, Michelin-star restaurants, and other eating experiences. Look at the top venues and ‘things to do’ that are going to blow a budget - but you can immerse yourself in what the country truly has to offer. 

Rather than going via coach or on a bus, you’ll be sitting in a car with a driver, in business class or private jet - whatever means the most for you. Travel is a hobby that allows a lot of cultural expansion, and if this becomes your hobby, you will want to spend luxurious amounts of money on it. Unlike art and some of the other hobbies, travel is an investment in yourself - giving you a broader view of the world. 

Classic cars

For some perspective on just how luxurious this hobby is, Soetherby’s sold a 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B for $19.8 million. And while the cars will often be driven from time to time, most often, there is a team of mechanics and valets that will keep it in pristine condition while it spends time in the garage - alongside many other cars.  There are a couple of routes that are possible when it comes to classic cars. 

Some people like to find ones that need work - and their hobby is more than just collecting - it is about sourcing parts, deciding whether it will have originals, replicas, or an old, old body with a completely new engine and more, like a first-gen Ford Mustang with a 2024 mustang exhaust system. Or you might choose just to collect the cars, because who doesn’t want a garage full of stunning cars?  

Classic cars take as much work, if not more, than art collecting because rare cars come up, and you’ll need to be ready to bid. Or you might choose to curate the collection - the options are endless. 

Horses

Horses have always been a sign of wealth - not only are they expensive to buy, but the upkeep is considerable, too. There are many ways to have horses as a hobby- but you should probably be aware that people who keep horses tend to turn it from a hobby to a livelihood. Race horses or show horses, breeding horses, equestrian schools, and more - because the options when it comes to horses are endless. 

Horses are living things, though, so they need a lot more care and attention than cars. You’ll need to either become an expert or find a team of experts to take care of your prize investment. Racing horses can be bought and sold for multiple millions based on their bloodline and performance. 

They will need plenty of space and high-quality living quarters - and the cost of an equestrian vet is steep - this is one of the most luxurious hobbies to have because it is an extreme status symbol, and the horses will garner their own notoriety, too. 

Planes 

If sitting in first class or flying private isn’t enough for you, then it might be time to make the most of a life-long passion for flying. You’ll need to have lessons and pass multiple exams in order to get your pilot license.  And, of course, while you can make a career out of it if you want to, the real purpose of getting a pilot license when you are more in affluent circles is that you can charter a jet and go anywhere, anytime. 

And, of course, when flying becomes your hobby it actually becomes cheaper to own planes than it is to rent them multiple times throughout the years. 

Poker

If you have any interest in gambling and poker, then you have probably seen just how many celebrities and regular Joes take part in some of the biggest tournaments in the world for the chance to win millions. The true luxury here is that if you have the bankroll, you can quickly find yourself in some of the highest stake games all over the world - with some of the best players. 

And for those who aren’t very good, you can get lessons from those who are. Poker is an art, and it takes time and money to learn it correctly, which is what puts it firmly in the luxury hobby category. 

Who are the richest poker players? 

Sneakers

High fashion is luxury - but so is a collection of rare and limited sneakers. Sneakerheads are on the rise - but for the uninitiated, you might be thinking, how can collecting footwear be a luxury hobby? If you’re in the position to collect footwear and showcase them - that is considered a luxury to most. 

But more than that, here are some of the current prices and names of the most expensive sneakers: DJ Khaled x Air Jordan 3 ‘grateful’ is $12,000, but you could buy them originally for around $25k. Eminem X Carhartt Air Jordan 4 has a stable market price of $30k and has held that value since they were released. 

And while there are some solid gold sneakers in the most expensive list, the ones that have the highest value are Bred Air Jordans 13, which Michale Jordan wore in the NBA finals, and they’re signed - they are valued at a huge $2.2 million. 

Keeping them in pristine condition is going to take time and space so you may even want to invest in a custom walk-in wardrobe, specifically for your sneakers. Once you research more information on this, you’ll discover just how expensive sneakers can be. On the plus side, who knows how much they’ll sell for!?

How to start a sneaker collection.

Wine Tasting 

While you might need some time to make sure that your pallet is more disconcerting than it is now - wine tasting can quickly become one of the most luxurious and expensive hobbies. 

Wine has been around for thousands of years, which means there are some vintages and rare options out there that have still never been sampled by anyone since they were bottled. You can get started with wine tasting by booking local classes, but if you want the no-expense-spared option, then you’ll need to head to the place of origin and look for an expert - or hire a world-class sommelier to help you stock your wine cellar. 

And speaking of the wine cellar, you’ll need to have it purpose-built to store the wines you want to keep - and have built security, too - because expensive wines are highly sought after.

The hobbies of those who have time and money are always grander and more luxurious - because not only are they skills - but they are displays of wealth too.