[3] The longest tributaries of the Ploučnice are:[4] The most notable settlements on the river are the town of Česká Lípa and the city of Děčín.

The river flows through the municipal territories of Osečná, Hamr na Jezeře, Stráž pod Ralskem, Noviny pod Ralskem, Mimoň, Ralsko, Zákupy, Česká Lípa, Stružnice, Horní Police, Žandov, Starý Šachov, Františkov nad Ploučnicí, Benešov nad Ploučnicí and Děčín.

[3] The largest bodies of water built directly on the Ploučnice are the Stráž pod Ralskem Reservoir and the pond Hamerské jezero.

[5] Near Mimoň, the river meanders and this area is protected as Meandry Ploučnice u Mimoně Nature Monument.

Due to the high volume of water, the river is navigable all year round up to Benešov nad Ploučnicí.

[7][8] A popular tourist section of the river is the Ploučnice Gap, located in Noviny pod Ralskem.