We are a group of four English-speakers. We have a reservation to enter the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome at 8am on Thursday October 2, 2025. We would like to make a self-guided visit to the Vatican Museums after visiting the Basilica. Should we expect a crowd to enter the museums at that time? At what time should we make a reservation to see the museums? Thank you for your help.
There will always be a crowd. Make a timed entry at the official website. For a good explanation of all the options, see the Youtube channel ROMEWISE
Yes, expect a crowd. Hard to tell you what time to make your reservations as it's uncertain how long you'll spend in the basilica but probably not before 10;00 - 10:30. The official website for museum ticketing is easy to navigate.