A ceramic thermal barrier coating (8) for coating the surface (7) of a component (1) of a nickel-based superalloy, and an adhesive coating optionally applied thereon (6), preferably a gas turbine component, includes zirconium oxide (ZrO2) stabilized by yttrium oxide (Y2O3) and production-related impurities, as well as at least one high-temperature and oxidation resistant intermetallic compound, for example NiAl, YRh, ErIr, the volume fraction of which decreases continuously or in stages as the distance from the surface (7) of the component (1)/the adhesive coating (6) increases. Advantageously, a less steep stress gradient is produced by gradually varying the composition of the thermal barrier coating (8). This leads to an increased expansion tolerance of the thermal barrier coating (8) and thus, on the one hand, to an increased lifetime under thermal loading (no flaking) and, on the other hand, the possibility of applying thicker thermal barrier coatings (8), and therefore of using the coated components (1) at higher temperatures.