Contrary to common misconceptions, smoking a narghilè is a legal and long-standing social tradition in Turkey. Known elsewhere as a hookah, shisha, or hubble-bubble, the narghilè is used exclusively with tobacco—never with hashish or other drugs—and is enjoyed by both men and women, most often in cafés.
The term narghilè derives from the Persian word nargil, meaning “coconut,” a reference to the earliest water pipes that were fashioned from dried coconut shells. Today’s Turkish pipes typically feature a glass base filled with water, a flexible hose with a detachable mouthpiece, and a small bowl on top to hold plain or flavored tobacco.
If you want to try a narghilè, look for a café that offers them. A staff member will prepare the pipe to match your chosen tobacco flavor and provide a clean mouthpiece. Sit comfortably, keep the pipe positioned as advised by the café staff, and draw gently—savoring the flavor and the relaxed, social atmosphere. Sessions are leisurely and can last several hours, making the narghilè experience as much about conversation and company as it is about smoking.