Rome - Vatican City Itinerary

It’s a long walk from the Basilica/ Square around to the Vatican museum entrance. Allow maybe 30 min. Don’t think you’ll have time for anything between lunch and Vatican tour

I’d put the Basilica first in the am- then Castel San’Angelo
The Basilica at 12-2 probably the most crowded time

A couple hours in the Basilica is plenty, you might need more time if you planned on climbing the dome, the Crypt could be included in that two hours.

Be aware that to get into St. Peters, the Crypt, and the Dome Climb involves standing in a common line for security, so not something you want to go through, leave, and try to get back through again for an hour before you meet your tour. However, spending time in the square, and just getting to the museum entrance takes time.

To save some time you could take the elevator up to the first level of the dome. They have a lovely cafe there you could eat at, the views of the city are amazing, and they have the best souvenir shop, all blessed, and great prices for gold. I purchased a crucifix and a pieta charm for my bracelet. (Also a bathroom).

If anyone wants to go further up the dome, by stairs, you can wait in the cafe. That’s what we did.

Anyway. this would give you more time in St. Peter’s and you wouldn’t have to rush. You could eat dinner at the restaurant you mention.

I thought Castel Sant'Angelo was a hidden gem in Rome and well worth the visit, especially the views from the ramparts.

It's not particularly common to have a one-hour lunch in a sit-down restaurant in Italy. Things may not move along that fast, and it appears the restaurant will be an 8-minute to 10-minute walk from St. Peter's. I like Barbara's idea to eat at the cafe in the dome.

St. Peter's opens at 7 AM on most days, I think, so you could get an earlier start there than at Castel Sant'Angelo. It is said the security line at St. Peter's isn't bad really early in the morning. It will be scarily long later in the day. I don't know how long you might be in line there because I took a look and gave up.

This is all very helpful. I was more thinking of hitting the Castel first because it’s on the way. But we might do St. Peter’s first thing in the morning, back track to Castel (it’s showing as a 15 minute walk or so), then get lunch. Then do our tour. That feels like it would work better.