I visited magical Conwy Castle in north Wales and can see why it's just been named Europe's most beautiful castle

Rachel Hosie visited Conwy Castle in North Wales.Rachel Hosie

• Conwy Castle in Wales was recently named the most beautiful European castle by Condé Nast Traveller.
• I visited the 700-year-old castle in October and was impressed by how well-preserved it was.

In October, I paid a visit to the small town of Conwy, located on the north Wales coast.

Conwy Castle sits by the sea.      Getty

Like many popular tourist seaside towns, it’s home to bakeries, pubs, fish and chip shops, a beach, gift shops, and a harbor.

One of Conwy's main streets.      Rachel Hosie

There aren't many big chain shops, cafés, or restaurants in Conwy, which gives it a welcoming feel.

Shops in Conwy.      Getty

But what makes Conwy different from many towns is its medieval castle and walls encircling the center.

Conwy Castle is a main feature of the town.      Rachel Hosie

Conwy Castle was commissioned by King Edward I and was built between 1283 and 1287 by architect Master James of St George. It cost £15,000, or around $17,100.

The castle still has various rooms.      Getty

Source: Welsh Government

The castle was recently named the most beautiful in Europe in a ranking by Condé Nast Traveller, beating Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany (said to have inspired Disney's iconic castle) and the Palace of Versailles in France.

Conwy Castle.      Getty

Source: Condé Nast Traveller

Conwy isn't big and doesn't have any high-rise buildings, so you can see the grand castle from pretty much anywhere in the town. It adds a real sense of fairytale magic to Conwy.

You can admire the castle from the waterfront.      Rachel Hosie

The old walls run nearly the full way round the town and are free to walk along. There are information signs at various points sharing the history of the town too.

Rachel walking Conwy's old town walls.      Rachel Hosie

It's a lovely walk, only 1.3 kilometers long, offering views of the surrounding countryside, over the town, across the sea, and, of course, back to the castle.

The walls circle the town center.      Rachel Hosie

Nosy tourists may also enjoy getting glimpses into people's gardens, not that I did, of course.

The walls go down to the sea.      Rachel Hosie

The castle, however, isn't free to enter. Full-price adult tickets cost £11, or around $13. My boyfriend and I considered not going into the castle, having seen it from the outside, but I'm really glad we ultimately did.

The castle is lit up as night falls.      Rachel Hosie

We didn't have to queue to buy tickets and although there were plenty of other visitors, we walked straight in.

There's a small climb up to the castle entrance.      Rachel Hosie

I had thought the price was a bit steep, but once I got inside the castle I realized there was a lot more to it than you'd know from the outside.

Inside Conwy Castle.      Rachel Hosie

The castle, a World Heritage Site, is remarkably well preserved, containing the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales.

The castle is at the entrance to Conwy.      Getty

Source: Welsh Government

You can climb up and down the eight towers via the spiral staircases (prepare to be a bit short of breath when you reach the top).

Conwy Castle from one of its towers.      Rachel Hosie

But the views are worth it. You can see for miles across the Welsh countryside and the sea.

The view from one of the towers.      Rachel Hosie

We enjoyed peering down into the depths of the castle from high up, too.

The castle is well-preserved.      Rachel Hosie

There are various levels to explore, and there was so much more to the castle than I'd expected.

Rachel in Conwy Castle.      Rachel Hosie

You can look down on to the railway line and watch trains whizz by.

The railway line runs along the side of the castle.      Getty

And when you've got your full medieval fix, I thoroughly recommend refueling with a Welsh cake and a coffee from the café next to the castle.

The castle overlooks the sea.      Rachel Hosie

I enjoyed visiting Conwy Castle much more than I expected to. It's incredible to be inside a 700-year-old fortress, was lots of fun to explore, and the views are fantastic. Definitely worth $13.

The castle's lights reflected on the water at night.      Getty