In the present study, a multi-layer thermal barrier coating (TBC) consisting of ZrO2 and La2Zr2O7 layers was designed in order to study the effect of the sequential layering and the composition of the top layer on hot corrosion resistance against a (1:1) V2O5/Na2SO4 mixture. Accordingly, functionally graded YSZ/La2Zr2O7 thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were deposited on the surface of a stainless steel 1.4301 alloy using the plasma spray technique. Lanthanum zirconate powder was synthesized via the sol–gel method. The cross-sectional morphologies, phase constitution, microstructure, and hot corrosion resistance of the multi-layered coatings were studied. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope results revealed an improvement in the corrosion resistance, at 900 °C for 50 h, of samples with YSZ over those with only YSZ and La2Zr2O7 top coats. Keywords: Thermal barrier coatings, Multi-layer, Lanthanum zirconate, Hot corrosion resistance