Start with a visit to the Roman baths, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to approximately AD 70. Once the center of life in the area, the baths were a popular place to bathe, relax, and socialize. The baths were revived in the 18th century when hot springs became popular for their curative effects.

Day 1 Afternoon: Afternoon: After visiting the baths, stop at the adjoining Pump Room restaurant to sample a glass of the mineral-rich waters yourself. Then walk around the corner to Bath Abbey, a beautiful Gothic abbey characterized by intricate carvings of angels and gorgeous stained glass. End your afternoon with a walk up to the Royal Crescent, a fine example of Georgian Palladian architecture.

While visitors aren’t allowed to take a dip in the Roman baths, they can bathe in the same waters at Thermae Bath Spa. Dating to the early 2000s, this modern complex features multiple pools, steam rooms, and treatment rooms, and an evening soak here makes for a relaxing end to a day in Bath.

Spend your second day visiting Bath's best museums and cultural attractions, starting with the Jane Austen Centre, an interactive museum dedicated to the city's most famous former resident. From here, head to the Georgian-era Assembly Rooms, which house the Fashion Museum and its collection of over 150 apparel items from the last four centuries.

For lunch, head to Sally Lunn’s House, a charming little café celebrated for its sweet buns—the recipe hasn’t changed for centuries. Then make your way to the Holburne Museum, the city's major fine-arts museum. Housed in an 18th-century hotel turned museum, the large collection includes Dutch and British paintings, sculpture, and decorative pieces.

Right in the center of Bath stands the Theatre Royal, dating back to 1805 and beautifully restored throughout the years, most recently in 2010. It remains Bath's main performing arts venue to this day, and catching a show here is a great way to end your stay in Bath.