Casa Asia was set up in 2001 with a view to improving knowledge and relations between Asian, Pacific, and Spanish societies in institutional, economic, cultural, and educational arenas, as well as to bring perspectives closer together and facilitate the exchange and sharing of cultures, ideas, and common projects. It is a public diplomacy entity, made up of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, the Regional Government of Catalonia and Barcelona and Madrid City Councils. This institution has its headquarters in Barcelona and it has a centre in Madrid.

The Madrid headquarters are located in Cañete Palace, a 17th Century building in the centrally located street Calle Mayor. It puts on exhibitions, conferences, film seasons, language courses, workshops, and all kinds of activities aimed at strengthening the bonds between Asia and Spain.

It shares its headquarters with the Sefarad - Israel Centre.