Sakellarakis studied archaeology at the University of Athens (Dept of History and Archaeology) and later pursued graduate studies at Heidelberg University, where he was awarded a doctorate in 1969.

Sakellarakis attracted international attention in 1979, when, while excavating the hill of Anemospilia in Archanes with his wife Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki, he discovered evidence for human sacrifice by the Minoans.

[4][5] Another major discovery took place in 1982, when Sakellarakis unveiled a large, two-story Minoan building at Zominthos, a small plateau at an altitude around 1200 m in the northern foothills of Mount Ida (Psiloritis).

For his scientific achievements, Sakellarakis was awarded high honors and medals, including the Golden Cross of the Greek Order of Honour and the Gold Medal of the University of Crete.

Sakellarakis was married to his colleague and long time coworker Efi Sapouna-Sakellaraki.