Global music and film stars pass through Barcelona for work reasons and make the most of their hours in the capital enjoying great hotels, modernist architecture and, above all, the city's gastronomic offer. Lady Gaga landed in Barcelona very aware that she had to be relaxed and rested to give her all on stage, where she had to compensate her fans for the sad cancellation forced by illness in September of last year. To ensure success, the star chose the Hotel Arts, a usual accommodation for many of the stars who come to Barcelona to perform. Away from the center, but not too much, with formidable views and five-star service, Gaga lived there for almost six days she was in Barcelona. A long stay compared to what is usually common for icons of her stature. Her visit, which was a privilege for the Catalan capital, was also positive for her, and knowing the city's power of seduction, she did a photoshoot on the top floor of the hotel, dressed by Ana Ljubinković and shod by Dsquared2. Nothing transpired regarding her activity in the city, beyond her arrival at El Prat, that she had asked hotel workers not to look her in the eyes, and that among her basic needs was having a range of more than 30 brands of water available. Predictable extravagances of a woman who, since she stormed the music world, is delighted when her followers call her Mother Monster, the monster mother. Much more normal when she visits the city is Gwyneth Paltrow. The 45-year-old actress has been in Barcelona on several occasions recently due to her collaboration with jewelers TOUS, who signed her as the brand's ambassador and as the star of their advertisements. The last time she came, in March 2017, she did a gastronomic tour of the city that caused a sensation when she shared it on Instagram. Far from Gaga's eccentricities, Chris Martin's ex-wife visited Céleri, where chef Xavier Pellicer made her enjoy his vegetable-inspired cuisine, which is one of the artist's weaknesses, known as an icon of healthy living. She also visited Cal Pep, in the Born, where she dared to try tapas like fried fish and Priorat wine. Finally, she also didn't miss one of the references of the premium tapas del Raval, el Cañete, by José María Parrado, current owner also of La Dama. The job also took Beyoncé to Barcelona in the summer of 2016. In mid-August, the queen of R&B mingled among the tourists in Park Güell before trying the Japanese-Brazilian fusion at the Ikibana restaurant in Sarrià, the last of the three establishments that have opened in the city with the same name. The next day, 46,000 fans awaited her at the Olympic Stadium, who had come from all over Spain and Europe because they had not been able to get tickets for the previous concerts of her tour. Formation World Tour. Beyoncé, like Gaga, stayed in the Arts suite, which costs more than 10,000 euros a night. Luxury hotels, modernist architecture and innovative restaurants were the city's benchmarks for Beyoncé. And it is that, as happens with many anonymous tourists, gastronomy is what most attracts celebrities who visit Barcelona. Well-known is the case of Adele, who also came to the city to perform a concert and could not resist tasting the croquettes of one of the bistros most recognized and modern in the Eixample, Mont Bar. There he ate some ham croquettes. Perhaps he was celebrating the contract he had just signed with Sony for 117 million euros. Or perhaps he was gathering strength to fill the Sant Jordi. It is clear, however, that he was right to follow in the footsteps of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had gone to the same bar days before. The actor then stayed at the Hotel W, from the American firm Starwood, which he had previously visited. The former governor of California can renounce his gastronomic patriotism on a temporary basis, but not in all aspects. More refined were Richard Gere and his partner, the Galician Alejandra Silva, who chose Roig Robí for dinner one April night last year. He was in Barcelona because he had to collect an award at Casa Fuster, where it is understood he was staying, which is why he chose the restaurant, located on the adjacent Sèneca street. The menu, practically entirely vegetarian, is explained by the Buddhist faith practiced by the 68-year-old actor, something already known. Another Hollywood heavyweight was seen in Barcelona in early 2017. It was George Clooney, who was with his wife, lawyer Amal Clooney. The recently married couple met at Rooftop Smokehouse, specializing in smoked foods. It was intended to be a discreet place but they had no luck. Rumors quickly spread about the fact that the meeting there was to tell Clooney's parents that they would be grandparents of twins, which could not be proven then but which reality has since confirmed. The walls of the alternative and delicious restaurant witnessed the moment. Barcelona brings together the necessary ingredients for stars from all over the planet to come for work and, once here, enjoy the city like any other tourist. Each in their own way, they enjoy the gastronomy, a highly prestigious hotel offer, the architecture, or a benevolent climate uncommon in large European capitals. The anonymity that Barcelona gives them and that they do not achieve in other cities is also a pillar, which makes them come and, after a while, repeat, although many times we do not find out about the encore.Featured image: Adele at Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, 2016 / Photo by Xavi Torrent - GettyImages