Gabrovo is located in the central part of Bulgaria, on the north side of Stara Planina. It is situated around the Yantra river and is close to the peaks Shipka and Buzludzha. The closest major cities and towns near Gabrovo are Veliko Tarnovo (the old Bulgarian capital), which is situated 50 kilometers north, Kazanlak, which is situated 50 kilometers south, passing the Shipka passage through Stara Planina.

Near Gabrovo is located the geographical center of Bulgaria. The closest airport to Gabrovo is Gorna Oryahovitza, 57 kilometers north, however it is used for charter flights mainly. The dis

Gabrovo is regional administrative center of Oblast Gabrovo (Gabrovo District) and the district also includes the towns of Tryavna (18km), Dryanovo (20km), Sevlievo (27km) and Plachkovtzi (19km). The city is known as the longest in Bulgaria (disputable with the enlargement of Sofia in the last years) and is above 25 kilometers long.