Delos was the birthplace of the God Apollo and the Goddess Artemidos, both were children born to Zeus and Leto. According to Greek Mythology, Leto was searching all over Greece to find a place at which she could give birth to the God Apollo, since Hera threatened every land that would accept Leto with severe punishments. Leto finally reached the small and infertile island of Delos (Ortygia). The Goddess promised the island fame and wealth, which would be brought by Apollo's followers. The island gave its consent under the condition that Leto would promise to build her first temple in Delos. Thus, the exceptional sanctuary to Apollo and Artemidos was built upon the island of Delos. It comprised one of the most significant sanctuaries of ancient times, which, by the way, was a center of worship during the Mycenaean period, prior to it being officially declared an adoration to Apollo and Artemidos. The first excavations on Delos began in 1872 with the excavation of the Cynthos Cave. The French Archaeology School first organized and executed systematic excavations within the site, which to date, still continue.

The visitor that came upon the archaeological site of Delos confronted its entire ancient city, practically, which continues to be evocative. Within its structural land plan, the visitor reincarnates the course and the way of life that was, once upon a time, natural and vivid. The significant structures include Apollo's Sanctuary although many others are scattered across the area surrounding the Sacred Lake, the Mount Cynthos and the neighborhood surrounding the Theatre. The following structures surround the Temple of Apollo or are in the direction of the Temple: House of Naxians, Colonnade of Naxians, Competaliasts Agora and the Delians, the Stoa of Antigonos and Phillip, the Sacred Way, Dionysus' Sanctuary, the Keraton, the first and second Tombs of the Hyberborean Maidens, Taurus Monument. Surrounding the area of the Sacred Lake are : the Hellenistic Houses of Diadoumenos, Actors, the Tritons, the Hill, the Lake, Theophrastos' Agora and the Italians' Agora, the Hypostyle Hall, the Palaestra, the Lions' Terrace, the Institution of the Poseidoniasts. Included within the Mount Cynthos area and the Theatre's neighborhood are: the Theatre, the Serapeion, Aphrodite's Sanctuary, the Kaveirion, the House of Dolphins, the Masks, the Triaina, Cleopatra, Dionysus, Hermes, the Terrace of Foreign Gods, the Heraion.

The Temple of Apollo is the last and the largest Temple of the three preceding temples. Its construction began by the Delians in 477 B.C., at approximately the same period that the Athenian Confederacy (League) with Delos was established. Its construction was interrupted when the Confederacy's Treasury was sent to Athens. The three Temple's ruins, which all maintained a western orientation facing the West are still preserved to date. The oldest of the three (dated 6th century B.C.) was built from limestone and contained a pronaos and Cella. An ancient statue of Apollo was contained within that was the work of Teuktaios and Aggelion. Athenians constructed the Temple that is located in the center between 425 - 417 B.C. Behind the three temples is a series of five structures (Treasuries) that were probably Houses. The Temple of Artemidos is located near the Temple of Apollo. It was built in 179 B.C. in the place of a preceding temple, which was constructed in the 7th century B.C. This is confirmed by the collection of objects found on its northeast side. The Temple's boundaries are determined by a hypothetical surrounding wall whilst the north and east sides are enclosed by an Ionic colonnade.

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