An apparatus for the preparation of hot beverages, in particular milk-based beverages, such as cappuccino, hot chocolate and the like, comprising: a structure wherein there is defined a working area in which a vessel can be positioned for the preparation of a beverage; a rotary stirring device comprising a rotatable shaft which carries a stirring rotor; the stirring device being movable relative to the structure between a raised, rest position and a lowered, working position, in which the shaft and the associated rotor extends above the working area and in the working area inside a vessel or container (R; C) positioned therein, respectively; and control means arranged for causing: - the movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; - the activation of the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in a vessel arranged in the working area for the preparation of a beverage; and - the lowering of the stirring device from its rest position for cleaning the shaft and the rotor; the apparatus being characterized by comprising a hot steam source (4-7, 16; 30) arranged for supplying a flow of steam into a vessel or container (R; C) positioned in the working area, the apparatus also comprising a substantially beaker-shaped cleaning container which is movable relative to the structure between a rest position and a position of use in which the cleaning container extends outside and inside the working area, respectively; in the position of use, the cleaning container being able to receive the shaft and the rotor of the stirring device that has been lowered from its rest position, and drive means (18, 19) suitable for causing the movement of the cleaning container; said control means being arranged to activate said hot steam source and to rotate the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in the cleaning container in the working area. a structure wherein there is defined a working area in which a vessel can be positioned for the preparation of a beverage; a rotary stirring device comprising a rotatable shaft which carries a stirring rotor; the stirring device being movable relative to the structure between a raised, rest position and a lowered, working position, in which the shaft and the associated rotor extends above the working area and in the working area inside a vessel or container (R; C) positioned therein, respectively; and control means arranged for causing: - the movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; - the activation of the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in a vessel arranged in the working area for the preparation of a beverage; and - the lowering of the stirring device from its rest position for cleaning the shaft and the rotor; - the movement of the stirring device between its rest position and its working position; - the activation of the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in a vessel arranged in the working area for the preparation of a beverage; and - the lowering of the stirring device from its rest position for cleaning the shaft and the rotor; the apparatus being characterized by comprising a hot steam source (4-7, 16; 30) arranged for supplying a flow of steam into a vessel or container (R; C) positioned in the working area, the apparatus also comprising a substantially beaker-shaped cleaning container which is movable relative to the structure between a rest position and a position of use in which the cleaning container extends outside and inside the working area, respectively; in the position of use, the cleaning container being able to receive the shaft and the rotor of the stirring device that has been lowered from its rest position, and drive means (18, 19) suitable for causing the movement of the cleaning container; said control means being arranged to activate said hot steam source and to rotate the stirring device whilst the shaft and the rotor of the latter extend in the cleaning container in the working area.