The IAC Headquarters is the normal workplace for the majority of the iAC personnel,and the administrative centre for the Canary Observatories. It is a centre of astrophysical research, of technological development and of higher education, both scientific and technical, which also serves as a meeting place for the international astronomical community, and from where scientific outreach activities are coordinated.

The Headquarters possesses a specialized library, a computer services centre, meeting and conference rooms, and a set of workshops and laboratories