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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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).

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

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

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

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

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.

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.