Oman is a fascinating country located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula. It has a rich history and culture that lend themselves well to riddles. Here are 34 riddles about Oman along with their answers.
Geography
Riddle 1
I am a city located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman. I am the oldest town in Oman and was once its capital. Many attractions bring tourists to see my Portuguese fort and Sultan’s Palace. What city am I?
Answer: Muscat
Riddle 2
We are the tallest mountains in eastern Arabia, stretching over 500 kilometers along Oman’s coast. Herds of wildlife roam our plateau and wadis. Clouds often cover our high peaks. What mountains are we?
Answer: Al Hajar Mountains
Riddle 3
I am a desert that covers much of central Oman. Camels roam my sea of endless sand dunes. Temperatures can reach over 120°F during summer days. What desert am I?
Answer: Rub’ al Khali Desert
History & Culture
Riddle 4
I ruled Oman for 54 years until my death in 1711. I expelled the Portuguese and built Oman’s empire from Africa to India. Sailors feared my powerful fleets. Who am I?
Answer: Imam Sultan Bin Saif Al Yarubi
Riddle 5
We are one of Oman’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Over 500,000 written inscriptions and images depict life thousands of years ago. Shepherds and archaeologists still visit our cave walls. What are we?
Answer: Al Hoota Cave
Riddle 6
My juices are extracted from Omani limes and fermented into a popular drink. I am distilled up to five times at old, mountain aflaj. Sailors and fishermen have relied on my medicinal qualities for centuries. What traditional Omani liquor am I?
Answer: Palm wine (arak)
Riddle 7
We are one of Oman’s most iconic structures. Our three stone towers stand on a rocky cleft overlooking the city of Nizwa. Vendors sell fruit, vegetables and silver items in our shade. What are we?
Answer: Nizwa Fort
Wildlife
Riddle 8
I am Oman’s national animal. We have long legs, humped backs, and can survive for months without water. Bedouins prize us for transportation, milk, meat and wool. What animal am I?
Answer: Arabian camel
Riddle 9
I am Oman’s largest native mammal. We live in family groups called “harems” led by a bull camel. Our curved horns can grow 5 feet long. Who am I?
Answer: Arabian oryx
Riddle 10
I am a sea turtle that swims Oman’s warm coastal waters. Local fishermen used to harvest my eggs, but now protected areas help rescue me from extinction. What turtle am I?
Answer: Green turtle
Ancient Sites
Riddle 11
I am an ancient tomb over 20 feet tall carved into a rocky outcrop. My entrance passage leads to multiple chambers painted with carvings ofpeople and animals. Bedouins have camped around me for centuries. What tomb am I?
Answer: Al Ayn Tomb
Riddle 12
We are the remains of a millennia-old trading port located on Oman’s northwest coast. Sailors exchanged goods like cloves and silk at our once bustling docks. What ruined city are we?
Answer: Sumhuram
Riddle 13
I am an ancient Nabatean city located atop remote cliffs in Oman’s Sharqiya Sands. My ruins feature a restored marketplace, decorated tombs, and secret water tunnels beneath sand dunes. What lost city am I?
Answer: Shisr
Landmarks
Riddle 14
I am one of the oldest and largest fortresses in Oman. My ramparts stand 130 feet tall and surround a palace, mosque, prison, and museums. Cannons line my towers pointing out to sea. What fortress am I?
Answer: Mutrah Fort
Riddle 15
We are natural sinkholes located in Oman’s Hajar Mountains. Local legends say we were created by a meteor strike. Our deep, turquoise waters contrast beautifully with surrounding reddish cliffs. What are we?
Answer: Bimmah Sinkhole
Riddle 16
I am a 16th century castle set amid palm trees and jagged mountains. My rooms feature carved wooden doors and painted ceilings. Strategic slit windows allowed my troops to watch for invaders. What fort am I?
Answer: Jabrin Castle
Culture & Crafts
Riddle 17
I am a traditional curved Omani dagger worn by men. Bedouins pass me down through generations as an honored heirloom. My handle and sheath often feature silver designs and inlays. What am I called?
Answer: Khanjar
Riddle 18
We are colorful traditional caps embroidered with Oman’s coat of arms. Regional tribesmen wear us to express identity and social status. What type of hats are we?
Answer: Kuma caps
Riddle 19
I am an intricately weaved cloak worn in Oman for special occasions. Women drape my vivid red, purple and orange threads over their hair and clothes. Brides don me to receive wedding gifts. What am I?
Answer: Bisht cloak
Festivals
Riddle 20
I am an annual Omani celebration held at the end of Ramadan. Families, friends and neighbors fill the streets to share food, dance and fireworks. Lanterns and lights decorate homes and mosques in joyful colors. What holiday am I?
Answer: Eid ul Fitr
Riddle 21
We are one of the world’s largest frankincense festivals. Omanis flock to Salalah each summer to buy and sell tons of our rare, fragrant resin. What is this famous seasonal festival called?
Answer: Khareef Festival
Riddle 22
I am an annual camel beauty contest held in Oman. Breeders bring thousands of us decked out in beaded necklaces, henna, feathers and colorful saddles. Judges examine our coats, posture and teeth to pick winners. What competition am I?
Answer: Mazayin Dhafra Camel Festival
Cuisine
Riddle 23
I am a savory Omani flatbread typically filled with spiced egg, cheese or meat. Cooks bake my crispy dough in underground ovens called tanoor. What am I called?
Answer: Shuwa
Riddle 24
We are lamb pieces wrapped with onion, spices and dried limes then barbecued over hot coals. Omanis traditionally serve us alongside rice on special occasions. What dish are we?
Answer: Mashuai
Riddle 25
I am a creamy Omani chicken stew made with saffron rice, yogurt, cardamom and a whole chicken slow-cooked until falling off the bone. What delicious dish am I?
Answer: Shuwaa Asfor
Economy
Riddle 26
I am a rocky coastal region stretching over 125 miles on Oman’s northeast shores. Petroleum companies extract most of Oman’s oil and gas reserves off our waters. What are we called?
Answer: Fahud Salt Basin
Riddle 27
We generate most of Oman’s electricity from natural gas. Our coastal plants provide over 90% of the nation’s power needs. What are we?
Answer: Gas power plants
Riddle 28
I am an industrial and shipping complex built at Oman’s Port of Sohar. My oil refinery and petrochemical plants drive Oman’s economy. Thousands of cargo ships pass through my docks each year. What free trade zone am I?
Answer: Sohar Industrial Port Area
Nature & Environment
Riddle 29
We are the fertile plains surrounding the Dhofar mountains in southern Oman. Each summer monsoon season, we erupt in abundant wildflowers and lush grasses grazed by Arabian oryx and Jebel goats. What are we called?
Answer: The Nejd
Riddle 30
I am a nature reserve protecting one of the last sanctuaries of the endangered Arabian leopard. Rugged terrain makes tracking these elusive big cats very difficult for researchers. What park am I?
Answer: Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve
Riddle 31
We are a birdwatcher’s paradise located on Oman’s southeast shores. Over 300 migrating species shelter here each year escaping winter weather. What wetlands are we?
Answer: Barr al Hikman Nature Reserve
Transportation
Riddle 32
I am the major highway connecting Muscat to Buraimi near the UAE border. Road trippers traverse my 650+ kilometers while enjoying scenic wadis, mountains, deserts and coastline. What interstate am I?
Answer: Sultan Qaboos Highway
Riddle 33
We are subterranean channels bringing water from Oman’s mountain aquifers to fertile lowland plantations. Some of us stretch over 30 miles long built up to 3,000 years ago. What irrigation system are we?
Answer: Aflaj (plural of falaj)
Riddle 34
I am Oman’s largest airport and main international gateway located outside the capital. Over 12 million passengers a year pass through my gleaming terminals to reach destinations in Asia and Europe. What airport am I?
Answer: Muscat International Airport
Conclusion
These riddles provide a fun way to explore Oman’s diverse landscape, rich cultural heritage and complex history. From windswept deserts to fertile wadis, this crossroads of ancient trade has captivated visitors for millennia. Oman’s warm hospitality, breathtaking forts and lively souqs beckon the curious traveler in search of adventure.
