Atlantic Coast or Mediterranean Coast/Beaches in Andalucia?

I have a dream of what our week in August (time is not flexible) in Andalucia should look like, but after a month of research, I am getting the impression that my dream will remain a dream. I may need to make concessions, which is fine. I just need to confirm that what I'm looking for does not exist. And then I need a little information that I've had trouble getting a clear picture about from my reading.

My dream:

• Accommodations near the ocean. A quaint, picturesque village, or historical part of a larger settlement nearby. Can't afford luxury, but appreciate comfort, and absolutely need air conditioning & wifi. Don't mind self catering apt.
• Love historic stone mansions, but they don't often seem to have a/c.
• Prefer quieter environment (especially at night), but like good food & some shopping options nearby.
• SANDY beach, not pebble beach.
• Breezy, but not windy.
• Ocean suitable for swimming with some ocean sports like standup paddling, but not into surfing or kite-skiing, etc.
• Local artisan markets/crafts shopping nearby - or close enough for a half day excursion.
• Some touristy shopping would be okay, but prefer local arts & crafts.
• Love palm trees (don't seem to be many except on the man-made promenades?)
• Prefer temperatures < 28 degrees C.

What I've found:

Atlantic:
- Cooler temps in Tarifa, but windy and ocean is cold and does not seem comfortable for swimming.
- Sandy beaches on Costa de la Luz, but have read that because of the wind you end up with "sand in every crevice of your body". :(
- Not sure about other things to do on the Atlantic side - shopping, local crafts, markets, half day excursions?

Mediterranean:
- The Costa del Sol seems busy/crowded/polluted/expensive/noisy - but has more things to do besides beach. Yes?
- Warmer water, but maybe not as clean in some places.
- Do the beaches have more amenities (showers, chair rental, food kiosks) than beaches on the Atlantic coast?
- More water sports besides surfing, kite-skiing, etc?
- Nerja area - has caves for an excursion, but lots of British Culture. I'd like to experience SPAIN in Spain, and Britain in Britain.
- Also - Nerja has mainly pebble beaches - no sand beaches?

Is there a place that offers most of the things I am looking for? Where? Appreciate any advice/suggestions.
Thanks!

Having just spent a week cycling around the Cadiz province I would highly recommend it, coastal wise I can highly recommend Conil de la Fronterra one of the most charming beach towns I have been too, it is a pueblo blanco with a beach, and the beach is lovely, the town is extremely charming with lots of narrow streets and most importantly very Spanish. I dipped my feet in the Atlantic and whilst it was cold it was not freezing and this is April! As for wind I do not know what it is like in August but it was fine when I was there. The other coastal town I liked was Rota, again charming I suspect a bit more lively.

But Cadiz was an amazing place and for a city has wonderful clean beaches and probably one of the nicest cities I have ever visited, I cannot imagine how busy the beaches would be in August but it is certainly worth thinking about.

As for the rest of Andalucía, yes the costa del sol is heavily built up and majority of towns on the coast have a certain Britishness, if you head further east to Almeria province it quietens down again. Around Cabo de Gato is vry ice but expect extremely hot weather +40 comfortably.

You have a LOT of conditions, but Cadiz may fit the bill.

It is one of the cooler places in southern Spain in August, and the wind dies down in July. 28 degrees in Andalucia in August is a reach.

The beaches can be quite crowded but since there is over 5 km worth of SANDY beaches, lots of room to spread out.

If Cadiz is too big, Conil is worth investigating, but I would advise you to get moving on reserving suitable accomodations. You are definitely looking at "high" season. You will be paying maxiumum prices if you must have a/c and wi-fi.

Ah. Thank you!!! I know I have a LOT of conditions, but that was why I posted. I wanted to know if and which of my conditions were unreasonable. I also wanted to know if the wind really WAS as bad as travel resources say it is, and if there really are no sand beaches on the Med. side (around Nerja)...

Cadiz has intrigued me since I read that is arguably the oldest settlement in Europe! I will look into this location further.

I must have a/c because I often get headaches from the heat, and my husband needs to be available to his work by internet, so no options there. Thanks again!

Thank you, Richiavo. For some reason your post didn't show up for me yesterday. I find your comments very helpful. I was wondering about what the towns are like and if there is something to do because we don't want to sit on the beach all day every day. Half a day every day would be nice. Exploring winding streets in a pueblo blanco and stumbling upon some shops is right up my alley (pun intended). :)